LIBRARY  ' 


Theological     Seminary, 

PRINCETON,     N.    J. 

Ol.Sr        iH^L^^        Divi&jon f-.'^. 

^f<f      /^3^S.e.ctio.n /;        

Boo/:       ' 

No, ...: - 


A     DONATION 

i'ROM 

.iiecnbci:) 


VJ 


Mr.  Temhertons 

SERMONS 

O  N 

Several  Subieds. 


SERMONS 

O  N 

Several  Subjeds. 

Preach'd  at  the 

Tresbyterian  Church 

in  the  City  of  Mew-Tort 


By  E.  P  E  M  B  E  R  T  O  N. 


BOSTON: 

Printed  by  T.  Fleet,  for  Daniel  Henchman, 
over-»gainft  the  Brick  Meeting  Hgufe  in  CornhilU 


CaN-TE-N'TS. 

The  wonderful  Propagation  of  the  GofpeL 
I  TIM.  3.  16. 
Believe  J  on  in  the  World.  ■  — * 

Sermon  IL 

The  certainty  of  a  future  Judgment. 

H  E  B.    6.    i. 

And  of  eternal  JndgrAent. 

Sermon  HL 

The  Lord  Jefus  Chrifl:  appointed  to    be  the 
Judge  of  the  World. 

ACTS    10.  41. 

And  he  commanded  u%  to  preach  unto  the  People^ 
and  to  teJJify  that  it  is  he  which  ivai  ordaind 
9f  God  to  he  the  Jud^e  of  quick  and  dead. 

Ser- 


The  CONTENTS- 
Sermon  IV. 

The  Manner  and  Circumftances  of  Chrift's 
Appearance  at  the  laft  Day. 

MATTH.    i6.    27. 

For  the  Soft  of  Manjhali  come  in  the  Glory  of  his 
Father^  with  his  Angels ;  and  then  he  fhall  re- 
ward every  Man  according  to  his  Works* 

Sermon  V* 

The   Nature  and  Necefiicy  of  preparation 
for  the  coming  of  Chrift. 

II  C  O  R.    5^.    9, 

Wherefore  we  labour^  that  whether  prefent  or  ah- 
Jent^  we  may  he  accepted  of  him. 

Sermon  VL 

The  Diflblution  of  the  World   a   Motive  to 
univerfal  Holinefs. 

II  PET.    3.    II. 

$eshg  then  that  all  thefe  Things  fhall  he  diffol- 
ved,  what  manner  of  Perfons  ought  ye  to  he^  in 
all  holy  Converfation  and  Qodlinefs  ,•» 

S  E  R- 


(O 


SERMON   I. 


The  wonderfu 
Gofpd 


ation  of  the 


WHEN  the  Golpel  of  Chrift  was  firft 
publifli'd  in  the  World,' it  had  innume- 
rable prejudices  to  conquer,  and  the 
ftrongeft  oppofition  to  break  through. 
A  crucified  Saviour  was  to  the  Jews  a  {tumbling,  and 
to  the  Greeks  foolifhnefs. 

The  People  of  Jfrael  were  intoxicated  with  the 
dream  of  earthly  grandeur,  and  vainly  expedted  that 
the  promifed  Mefliah  would  afiume  the  enfigns  of 
royalty  and  power,  fubdue  all  Nations  by  the  force  of 
his  victorious  Arms,  and  exalt  them  to  the  fupremc 
Government  of  the  World.  When  therefore  our  blef- 
fed  Saviour  appeared  in  the  humble  circumflances  of 
poverty  and  difgrace,  and  they  beheld  (inftead  of  a 
Conquering  Prince^  a  man  of  forrows  and  acquainted 
with  grief ;  they  defpifed  his  perfon,  rejected  his  Doc- 
trine,  accufed  him  as  an  Impoilor,  and  condemned  him 
as  a  public  Malefador. 

The  Gentiles  were  profefs'd  Admirers  of  Wifdom, 
and  diftafted  every  thing  that  was  not  recommended 
with  the  beauties  of  Wir,  and  adorned  with  the  flowers 

of 


±  The  wonderful  Propagation 

of  Rhetoric:  the  Gofpel  they  therefore  defpls*d  as  a' 
fimple  and  ill-contriv'd  fable,  deftitute  of  Art  and 
Eloquence,  and  treated  its  profefifors  with  fcorn  and 
conternpt.  But  notwithftanding  the  unhappy  preju- 
dices of  the  Jewijh  Do6lors,  and  the  infolent  Pride  of 
the  Gentile  Philolopherrs,  the  Gofpel  was  attended  with 
furprifing  fuccefs,  and  Multitudes  of  all  Orders  and 
Degrees  flcck'd  to  the  ftandard  of  Chrift.  This  is 
plac'd  by  St,  Paulj  in  our  Text,  among  the  Myfteries 
of  Godlinefs.     Great  is  the  Myftery^  Sec. 

In  fpeaking  unto  thefe  Words  fby  Divine  Aflif- 
tance)  I  fhall 

Firft,  Evidence  the  truth  of  the  Fa5f^  and  fhow  that 
Chrift  was  believed  on  in  the  World. 

Secondly,  I  fhall  confider  this  as  a  Myftery  of  God- 
linefs., beyond  the  power  of  fecond  Caules,  and  to  be 
afcribed  to  the  fupernatural  influences  of  the  Spirit  of 
God. 

Firft.  I  am  to  evidence  the  Fa5l  mention'd  by  the 
Apoftle,  and  fhew  that  Chrift  was  helieved  on  in  the 
World. 

No  fooner  was  the  Gofpel  publifti'd  by  the  firft 
Minifters  of  his  Kingdom,  but  it  was  attended  with 
aftonifhing  fuccefs,  and  made  a  triumphant  Progrefs 
through  the  Earth. 

When  the  Great  Author  of  our  Religion  afcended 
Into  Heaven,  the  number  of  his  Difciples  was  incon- 
fiderable :  But  no  fooner  was  the  Spirit  poured  out 
upon  the  Apoftles,  but  there  was  immediately  a  mighty 
AcceiTion  made  to  the  Church,  and  three  thoufand  were 
added  unto  it  in  one  Day  *.  "the  Word  of  God  increafedy 
and  the  Number  of  the  Difciples  7nultiplied  greatly  in 
Jerufdein  •,  and  a  ^ great  Company  of  the  Priefis  were 

obedient 


*-  JBi  2.  41. 


of  the  Gofpel.  3 

obedient  unto  the  Faith  f.  From  thence  with  incredi- 
ble fwiftnefs  it  pafs'd  through  all  Judea^  Sa??iaria^  &:c. 
and  by  degrees  penetrated  to  the  more  diftant  parts  of 
the  World;  fo  that  within  thirty  Years  after  the 
Death  of  Chrift,  and  before  the  great  and  final  de- 
ftrudlion  oijerufalem^  it  was  not  only  dilFufed  through- 
out the  whole  Roman  Empire,  the  Seat  of  Learning 
and  Politenefs,  but  the  dark  corners  of  the  Earth 
were  inlightned  with  the  Dodlrine  of  Salvation,  and 
the  moil  barbarous  Nations  had  the  Gofpel  of  the 
Kingdom  convey'd  unto  them  :  and  wherever  it  came^ 
it  flouriih'd  exceedingly  ;  multitudes  of  all  Ages  and 
Sexes  embrac'd  the  faith  of  Chrift.  So  quick  and 
furprifing  a  progrefs  it  made  in  the  World,  that  in  a 
few  Years  we  find  the  Chriftian  Apologifts  boafting 
of  their  mighty  numbers^  and  reprefenting  to  the 
pagan  Emperors,  "  that  their  Cities  and  Provinces, 
"  their  Camps  and  their  Courts,  yea  the  Senate-houfe 
*'  and  Palace,  were  filled  with  the  defpifed  Sedt  of 
*'  Chriftians,  and  that  it  would  be  impofiible  to  deftroy 
*'  them  without  exhaufting  the  ftrength  of  the  Empire, 
*'  and  leaving  all  places  in  a  ftate  of  difmal  folitude 
*'  and  filence  *. 

And  tho'  at  firft  the  Difciples  of  Jefus  were  defti-' 
tute  of  worldly  v/ifdom  and  learning,  without  power 
and  policy,  of  an  humble  and  inferior  charader :  yet 
in  a  few  Years  Men  of  uncommon  Sagacity  and 
Learning,  ut  fuperiour  Genius  and  Figure,  laid  afide 
their  ancient  prejudices  and  chearfully  embrac'd  a  de- 
fpifed Gofpel.  I'hus  the  Word  of  God  went  on  con- 
quering and  to  conquer,  until  at  laft  the  mighty  Gene- 
rals of  the  Earth  were  fubdued  by  its  vidorious 
power,  and  refign'd  their  lawrels  at  the  foot  of  the 
Grofs.  The  Sovereign  Princes  of  the  Roman  Empire 
were  perfwaded  to  fubmit  to  the  Obedience  of  Faith, 
and  zealouQy  to  propagate  that  Faith  which  before 

B  they 


4  The  vjonJerful  Propagation 

they  had  inhumanly  perfecuted.  Thus  was  that  Pro- 
phecy of  Ifaiah  accompHfh'd,  In  the  laft  days  the  moun- 
tain cf  the  Lord's  houje  /hall  he  eftahltjhed  in  the  top  cf 
the  mountains,  and  he  exalted  ahove  the  hills^  and  all 
nations  jhall  flow  unto  it  and  he  faved"^.  But  the  fwift 
progrefs  of  the  Gofpel  being  a  Fad  fo  fully  known, 
and  fo  univerfally  acknowledged,  I  need  not  enlarge 
any  further  in  the  proof  of  it. 

Secondly.  I  am  to  Ihew,  That  this  is  a  Myftery^ 
beyond  the  power  of  fecond  Caufes,  and  to  be  afcribed 
to  the  fupernatural  influences  of  the  Spirit  of  God. 
And  this  will  appear,  if  we  confider, 

I.  ^he  aftonijhing  Change  it  produced  in  the  Lives 
and  Manners  of  its  ProfeJJors,  They  were  at  once 
transformed  into  new  Men  and  became  obedient  to 
the  Faith,  not  in  word  but  in  deed  •,  they  renounc'd 
their  ancient  Idolatries  and  became  chearful  Vidlims 
to  the  Crofs  of  Chrift.  When  they  changed  their 
ProfefTion  they  reformed  their  manners,  and  from  the 
depths  of  iniquity  were  recovered  to  the  unfeigned 
pradlice  of  Piety.  The  proud  Mailers  of  Philofophy 
forfook  their  beloved  Sentiments  and  fubmitted  to 
the  difpenfation  of  Grace,  the  fenfual  and  voluptuous 
were  perfwaded  to  mortify  the  Flefh,  and  renounc'd 
the  forbidden  Pleafures  of  Sin,  the  ambitious  defpifed 
their  earthly  honours,  and  receiv'd  the  Crown  of  Mar- 
tyrdom as  their  higheft  Glory,  the  covetous  Mifer 
became  beneficent  and  charitable,  and  confecrated  his 
Wealth  to  the  fervice  of  the  Saints  *,  Perfecutors  were 
difarm'd  of  their  fury  and  grew  ambitious  of  appear- 
ing among  the  Martyrs  of  Jefus ;  the  fierceft  Natures 
were  fubdued  into  Meeknefs,  and  infulting  tyrants  be- 
came patrons  of  opprefs'd  Innocence  and  Vertue. 
'  This  mighty  change  was  happily  exemplified  in 
the  Corinthian  Converts,  who  were   pradiced  in  the 

vilefl: 


^  Jfai*  2.  2. 


of  the  GofpeL  ^ 

vileft  iniquities,  but  after  their  receiving  the  Gofpel 
were  eminent  for  their  temperance  and  fobriety,  they 
were  wajhed^  fanElified^  and  juftified  in  the  Name  of  the 
Lord  Jefus  and  by  the  Spirit  of  our  God  *. 

Yea  fo  exemplary  were  the  lives  of  Chriftians  in 
thefe  firft  and  purefl  Ages  of  the  Church  that  their 
very  enemies  reprefent  them  as  ''a  devout,  innocent 
*'  and  charitable  fort  of  men'*,  and  the  ancient  defen- 
ders of  the  faith  challenge  their  adverfanes  to  produce 
one  of  their  Number  "  that  was  condemn'd  as  a  thief 
*'  or  a  murderer,  or  was  guilty  of  any  grofs  enormities 
''  for  which  the  pagan  world  was  fo  infamous".  Now 
certainly  nothing  but  a  divine  power  could  produce 
fuch  a  wonderful  Change  in  the  lives  and  manners  of 
men  ;  it  is  only  the  almighty  Spirit  of  grace,  that  caa 
fubdue  the  perverfnefs  of  human  Nature,  reftrain  the 
tumultuous  paflions  of  mankind,  and  transform  Mon- 
fters  of  Vice  and  Impiety  into  patterns  of  Sobriety 
and  Vertue. 

2.  Let  us  confider  the  Meannefs  and  Simplicity  of 
the  Infiruments^  that  were  employed  in  this  Bkjjed  Work, 
A  Stranger  to  the  facred  Hiftory  will  perhaps  imagine 
that  the  Gofpel  was  propagated  at  firft  by  Men  of 
fuperior  Genius,  intimately  acquainted  with  the  fecrets 
of  human  Learning,  well  vers'd  in  the  Art  of  dif- 
puting,  and  afTifted  by  the  Charms  of  Perfwafion  and 
Eloquence;  and  had  this  been  the  cafe,  the  fuccefs  of 
the  Gofpel  had  not  been  fo  wonderful,  nor  the  divine 
power  fo  clearly  difplay'd:  therefore  God  chofe  the  foolifh 
things  of  the  world  to  confound  the  wife^  the  weak  things 
of  the  world  to  confound  the  mighty^  that  no  flefh  Jhould 
glory  in  his  prefencef.  The  Apoftles  were  Me.i  of 
contemptible  figure,  inferior  extra(5t,  and  of  plain  Un- 
derftandingi  they  were  not  polifh'd  by  Education,  nor 
improv'd  by  ftudy,  but  brought  up  to  the  meanefl 
employments,  they  had  neitiier  Art  to  infinuate  them- 
B  z  felves 


■^  i  Cor,  6'  10,  IX..  t  *  ^^r*  i.  ^7^  19* 


6  The  voonJerful  Vropagation 

felves  into  the  affe6lions  of  their  hearers,  nor  power 
to  compel  them  to  embrace  their  dodlrines^  they  were 
not  fupported  by  authority,  nor  clothed  with  pomp 
and  fplendor  to  awe  the  minds  of  men  into  fubjedion 
and  reverence  ♦,  but  they  appeared  with  the  utmoft 
plainnefs  and  fimplicity,  and  addrefs'd  their  hearers 
with  humility  and  meeknefs.  Thele  were  the  firft 
Heralds  of  the  Everlafling  Gofpel,  and  by  thefe  (in 
themfelves  contemptible  Inftruments)  it  pleas'd  God 
to  humble  the  Pride  of  man,  and  fubdue  the  world 
to  the  Crofs  ofChrift.  This  then  declares  the  divine 
power  that  attended  the  Publication  of  the  Gofpel: 
sjoe  have  this  treafure  in  earthen  Fejfels,  that  the  excellent 
cy  of  the  Power  inay  he  of  God  and  not  of  us  *.  And 
this  divine  Power  will  further  appear,  if  we  con- 
fider 

3 .  'J'he  manner  in  which  the  Gofpel  was  propagated  in 
the  world.  The  Inftruments  employed  were  not  only 
mean  and  contemptible,  but  the  method  they  took 
to  accomplilh  their  defign  was  contrary  to  carnal  Po- 
licy, and  moil  unlikely  to  prevail.  Impoftors  have 
always  endeavoured  to  propagate  their  dodtrines  by 
force,  or  infinuate  them  into  the  minds  of  men  by 
policy  and  contrivance. 

Thus  the  Prophet  of  Arabia  introduced  his  religion 
by  the  Sword,  and  by  his  vidlorious  Arms  oblig'd  the 
Nations,  to  receive  the  Alcoran.  The  Papal  Empire 
was  at  firft  eftablifti'd  by  force,  and  has  been  fup- 
ported ever  fince  by  continual  Stratagem. 

But  the  Apoftles  of  Chrift  abhor'd  all  methods  of 
deceit,  nor  did  they  propagate  their  doftrines  by  force 
and  fvv^ordi  they  were  not  attended  with  conquering 
Armies  to  prepare  the  way  for  their  reception,  nor  did 
they  make  ufe  of  torture  and  violence  to  fupport  and 
enlarge  their  conquefts.  I^he  Weapons  of  their  War^ 
fare  were  not  carnal  hut  fpiritual :  They  addreft  their 

hearers 

m>  — • ■    "         

^  i  Co/.  4    7' 


ef  the  Gofpel  j 

hearers  not  with  the  inticing  words  of  mavh  wifdom  *, 
with  ftudied  Ornaments  of  Speech  or  engaging  me- 
thods of  perfwafion,  but  in  the  moil  plain  and  ar fiefs 
manner  declared  unto  them  the  dodtrine  and  mira- 
cles, the  death  and  refurredtion  of  Chrift;  they  pro- 
claimed him  whom  the  Jews  had  flew  and  hanged 
upon  a  tree,  the  Saviour  of  the  World,  and  the  Prince 
of  the  Kings  of  the  Earth.  They  promifed  an  Im- 
mortality ofHappinefs  and  Glory  to  thofe  that  believ'd 
in  his  Name  and  obey'd  his  Commandments:  but  on 
the  contrary  they  threatned  deftrudtion  and  mifery  to 
fuch  as  Ihould  impenitently  defpife  and  rejedl  him. 
And  yet  by  thefe  contemptible  methods,  in  the  midft  of 
innumerable  difficulties,  they  gain'd  profelytes  to  the 
faith  and  baffled  the  Wifdom  and  Eloquence,  the 
power  and  policy  of  the  world:  this  certainly  exceeds 
the  power  of  man  and  evidences  that  the  almighty  in- 
fluences of  the  Spirit  attended  them. 

4.  The  Do^rines  inculcated  in  the  Gofpel  make  it  ft  ill 
more  rnyfterious^  that  Chrift  fliould  be  believed  on  in 
the  world.  Had  the  dodtrine  of  Chrifl:  been  fuited  to 
the^  Pride  of  human  Nature  and  calculated  to  flatter 
Men  in  their  Vices  and  Pleafures,  we  might  juflily 
have  expedled  that  it  would  be  fuddenly  and  univer- 
fally  embrac'd :  for  men  are  fond  of  gratifying  their 
fenfual  inclinations,  they  eafily  receive  a  dodrine  which 
indulges  their  Pride  and  Paflions,  and  affords  them  an 
unlimited  enjoyment  of  their  darling  Pleafures. 

By  this  means  the  religion  of  Mahomet  became  pa- 
latable to  a  vicious  World,  and  quickly  over-fpread 
the  Nations  of  the  Eafts  for  it  encouraged  an  un- 
bounded indulgence  of  men's  appetites  and  lufts  upon 
Earth,  and  promifed  an  eternal  paradife  of  brutilh  and 

fenfual   enjoyments  in  a  future  world. But  the 

Gofpel  of  Chrifl  had  nothing  of  this  nature  to  recom- 
mend it  to  the  public  reception i  the  doctrines  it  taught 

Wtiie 
*  li'or*  10,  4. 


8  The  wonderful  Propagation 

were  fublime  and  myfterious,  contrary  to  the  Pride 
and  pafTions  of  men;  the  duties  it  inculcated  were  harfli 
and  ungrateful,  againft  the  grain  of  our  corrupt  and 
defiled  Natures-,  it  obliged  its  profefTors  to  deny  all 
ungodlinefs  and  zvorldly  lufls,  to  live  fiber ly  and  right e-^ 
oujly  a?d  godly  in  this  prefint  world*.  It  required 
them  to  renounce  their  darling  iniquities  and  part  with 
their  mofl  defirable  enjoyments  when  they  became  in- 
confident  with  a  good  Confcience.  Thefe  were  hard 
fayings  indeed  and  difficult  to  be  pradlifed  by  a  dege- 
nerate Age  :  and  yet  notwithftanding  thefe  difficulties 
and  difadvantages  it  prevailed  exceedingly  in  the 
World,  and  triumph'd  over  the  vices  and  follies  of 
men.  ■  And  this  is  ftill  more  wonderful,  if  we  con* 
fider 

5.  The  unhappy  Prejudices^  that  prevailed  againft  the 
Gofpel-difpenfation.  Prejudice  is  always  an  enemy  to 
truth,  and  fixes  the  mind  in  an  inveterate  oppofition 
againft  it,  and  no  prejudice  is  fo  ftrong  as  that  which 
is  received  from  the  birth  and  founded  in  Educa- 
tion, efpecially  when  it  is  ftrengthned  by  Authority 
and  recommended  by  the  venerable  claim  of  Anti- 
quity. It  is  next  to  impofTible  to  erafe  the  early  im- 
preilions  that  men  receive  in  their  tender  Age,  and 
perfwade  them  to  renounce  that  Religion,  which  from 
their  infancy  they  have  been  taught  to  revere  and  obey. 
And  this  was  a  mighty  difficulty  which  the  Gofpel 
had  to  encounter  at  its  firfl  appearance.  Both  Jews 
and  Gentiles  were  filled  with  the  flrongeil  prejudices 
againft  it. 

The  Jezvs^  the  peculiar  People  of  God,  had  the 
higheft  reverence  for  the  Law  o  Mofes,  which  was 
unquefiionably  of  divine  Authority,  and  delivered  unto 
them  fi-om  Heaven,  with  the  utmofr  pom^p  and  fo- 
lemnlty.  They  had  alfo  a  venerable  regard  for  the 
tradicions  of  the-  Elders  v/hich    they  believed  to  be 

facred 

lit.  I.  u. 


of  the  Gofpel  9 

facred  and  binding  upon  the  Confcience.  But  abo\^e 
all  their  minds  were  filled  with  a  flattering  expedba-- 
tion  of  earthly  dignities,  and  delighted  with  a  ground- 
lefs  hope  that  their  MefTiah  would  be  a  temporal 
Prince  and  appear  with  a  profperous  and  conquering 
Army;  this  filled  them  with  an  invincible  averfion  to 
our  humble  Redeemer,  and  they  defpifed  the  afflided 
State  in  which  he  appear'd. 

And  the  prejudices  of  the  Gentiles  were  as  ftrong  as 
thofe  of  the  Jews-,  they  were  addidled  to  the  moft 
execrable  Idolatries  and  funk  into  the  lowed  State  of 
Ignorance  and  fuperftition;  the  Prince  of  darknefs 
reign'd  in  their  Hearts  without  controul,  and  for  many 
Ages  maintain'd  an  undifturb'd  dominion  over  them; 
the  worfhip  of  their  Idols  v/as  eftablifh'd  by  immemo- 
rial prefcription,  and  the  method  of  it  was  flately  and 
magnificent,  their  Priefls  were  engaged  by  Interefl  to 
maintain  their  ancient  Cuftoms,  and  perfwaded  the 
multitude  that  their  coftly  Sacrifices  and  fuperftirlous 
modes  of  worfhip  appeas'd  the  Anger  of  the  Gods 
and  procur'd  continual  peace  and  profperity. 

The  Philofophers  were  puffed  up  with  a  vain  con- 
ceit of  their  knowledge,  and  were  too  proud  to  fob- 
mit  to  the  humbling  difcoveries  of  the  Gofpel,  they 
defpifed  the  plainnefs  and  fimplicity  of  its  teacher?, 
and  diftafbed  the  ftridlnefs  and  purity  of  its  precepts. 
The  Dodrine  of  the  Crofs  they  efleem'd  a  ridiculous 
Story,  and  the  Refurredion  from  the  dead  the  groffeil 
abfurdity,  thus  St.  Paul  was  fliled  a  babbler  by  the 
Wits  of  Athens,  and  looked  upon  as  a  fetter  forth  of 
ftrange  Gods,  becaufe  he  preach* d  unto  them  Jefus  and  the 
Refur region  *;  and  yet  the  Do6lrine  of  Chrifl  bore  up 
againft  all  oppofition,  and  triumphantly  prevailed  in 
fpight  of  all  partiality  and  prejudice. 

6.  ^hefe  prejudices  were  increafed  by  the  hitter  per- 
fecutions  to  which  Cbrifiianity  was  expofed.     The  Pri- 
mitive 


Mi  17.  18, 


10  The  voonJerful  Propagation 

mitive  believers  had  not  only  the  Corruptions  of 
humane  Nature  to  conquer,  the  prepofTefTions  of  Edu- 
cation to  furmount,  but  the  Rage  and  Malice  of  Earth 
and  Hell  to  contend  with.  The  Dominion  of  Satan 
was  difturb'd  by  the  preaching  of  the  Gofpel,  and  the 
prince  of  darknefs  was  unwilling  to  lofe  fo  many 
fubjedls  of  his  Empire,  he  therefore  engag'd  the  Pow- 
ers of  the  World  ftrongly  to  combine  againft  it.  ^he 
Kings  of  the  Earth  and  the  Rulers  took  counfel  together 
-agawfl  the  Lord  and  againft  his  anointed  *.  The  High 
Priefts  and  Governors  among  the  Jews  ufed  their 
utmoft  endeavours  to  ftifle  Chriftianity  in  the  birth, 
and  fupprefs  it  in  its  infancy.  And  when  it  began  to 
increafe  in  the  World,  the  whole  face  of  the  Roman 
Empire  the  Miftrefs  of  the  Earth  was  engag'd  againft 
it,  and  mighty  perfecutions  were  continually  rais'd  to 
extirpate  and  deftroy  it. 

How  many  forfook  their  moft  valuable  enjoyments 
and  were  banifh'd  into  the  moft  defolate  Corners  of 
the  Earth  for  the  teftimony  of  Jefus  ?  how  many  fub- 
mitted  to  the  moft  barbarous  Cruelties  rather  than 
make  ftiipwreck  of  faith  and  a  good  Confcience,  and 
fuffer'd  the  moft  affrighting  Deaths  for  the  honour  of 
our  great  Redeemer.  They  were  expos'd  to  hunger, 
thirft  and  nakednefs,  they  were  deftroy *d  by  fire  and 
fword,  they  were  condemned  to  be  devoured  by  Beafts 
and  forc'd  to  expire  in  the  midft  of  torments.  In 
fine,  the  King  of  terrors  was  prefented  to  their  view 
in  its  moft  formidable  appearance,  to  deter  them  from 
the  profeiTion  of  the  Gofpel,  or  perfwade  them  to  re- 
nounce and  forfake  it. 

And  yet  thefe  ancient  Heroes  of  the  Chriftian 
Church,  this  noble  Army  of  Martyrs,  perfifted  in 
their  Faith  in  the  midft  of  their  bittereft  fufferings, 
they  took  joyfully  the  fpoiling  of  their  goods,  and 
patiently  fubmitted  to  the  moft  exquifite  miferies,  they 


gloried 


*  P/al-  2,  2, 


of  the  Gofpel  II 

gloried  in  the  Crofs  in  the  prefence  of  their  enraged 
perfecutors,  and  rejoiced  that  they  were  counted  wor- 
thy to  fuffer  for  the  Name  of  Chrift;  they  encountred 
Death  not  only  with  patience  and  refignation,  but 
embraced  it  with  extacy  and  triumph ^  they  hugg'd 
their  Chains  as  the  trophies  of  their  honour,  and  re- 
ceived their  Executioners  as  the  MefTengers  of  Heaven, 
to  convey  them  to  the  happy  manfxons  of  Paradife. 
They  entered  into  the  fire  with  Joy,  and  breath'd  out 
their  Souls  in  chearful  Hallelujahs. 

Nor  was  this  peculiar  to  men  of  undaunted  Cou- 
rage and  manly  Refolution,  but  the  Number  of  Con- 
fefibrs  was  vaft,  and  confided  of  Perfons  of  all  Ages  and 
Sexes,  of  all  Orders  and  Conditions.  The  hoary  Heads 
defpis'd  the  Weaknefs  of  their  declining  Years,  and 
joyfully  devoted  the  remainder  of  their  days  to  the 
defence  of  the  truth.  Blooming  Youths  forgot  the 
tendernefs  of  their  Conftitutions,  and  with  undaunted 
Courage  entered  the  fiery  trial,  and  even  delicate 
Virgins  renounc'd  the  foftnefs  of  their  Sex,  and  de- 
fpifed  Death,  tho'  attended  with  the  moft  ghaftly 
terrors. 

Now  what  but  a  divine  Power  could  preferve  the 
Church  in  the  midft  of  the  fiery  furnace  ?  Had  this 
Work  or  Counfel  been  of  men,  it  mud  certainly  have 
been  overthrown,  when  all  the  Powers  of  Earth  were 
united  to  Oppofe  it :  but  under  all  the  difcouragements 
that  the  Policy  of  men  could  invent,  or  the  Malice  of 
tyrants  inflidl,  the  Gofpel  flourilh'd,  mighty  ad- 
ditions were  made  to  the  Church,  all  attempts  to  fup- 
prefs  it  prov'd  fuccefsful  methods  to  advance  its  Glory. 
The  Contradidion  of  Sinners  redounded  to  the  Credit 
of  its  Difciples.  The  Blood  of  the  Martyrs  was  the 
feed  of  the  Church,  and  like  the  Ihowers  of  Heaven 
upon  the  thirfly  Earth,  made  it  more  fruitful  and 
fiourilhing.  This  muft  be  acknowledged  the  work 
ot  the  Lord,  and  it  Ihould  be  marvellous  in  our 
Eyes.   It  certainly  defcrves  a  place  among  the  Myile- 

C  lies 


1%  The  ivofi^erful  Propagation 

ries  of  Godlinefs,  that  Chrill  was  believed  on  in  tjie 
World. 

Improvement. 

I .  Let  us  all  he  perfwaded  to  believe  the  'Truth  and 
Divinity  of  the  Gofpel^  ivhich  was  jo  eminently  confirmed 
from  Heaven^  and  fo  miraculoufly  prevailed  in  the  world. 
The  Great  Author  of  our  Religion  evidenc'd  his 
MifTion  by  the  mod  unqueftionable  Authority  •,  the 
Father  teftified  his  approbation  from  Fleaven,  and  in 
a  Voice  of  thunder,  declar'd  him  his  beloved  Son  in 

whom  he  was  well  pleafed. The  Miracles  which 

he  wrought  in  the  prefence  of  Multitudes  declar'd  him 
to  be  the  Son  of  God,  and  the  Saviour  of  the  World. — 
The  v/onderful,  defcent  of  the  holy  Ghoft  upon  the 
Apoftles,  and  the  aftonifhing  Gift  of  tongues  with 
which  they  were  -at  once  infpired,  was  a  vifible  confir- 
mation of  his  Dodrine,  and  a  Handing  teftimony  that 
the  Gofpel  was  not  a  cunningly  devifed  fable,  but  of 
divine  and  heavenly  extradl. 

But  were  all  thefe  forgotten,  the  incredible  fuccefs 
that  attended  it  at  its  lirfl  promulgation  againft  all  hu- 
mane probabilities,  w^ould  be  a  fufficient  demonftra- 
tion  that  it  was  of  God  and  not  of  Man. — Is  it  poflible 
to  conceive,  fo  unacceptable  a  Scheme  could  be  im- 
pofed  upon  the  world  by  men  deftitute  of  Education 
and  Learning,  without  art  and  addrefs  \  and  univer- 
fally  prevail  in  fpight  of  prepofTeflion  and  prejudice, 
in  oppofition  to  perpetual  force  and  violence,  without 
any  advantages  to  recommend  it,  but  the  promife  of 
an  unfeen  and  future  Reward  ?  What  but  a  {landing 
Miracle  couid  propagate  a  Dodrine  fo  fevere  and  un- 
ungrateful,  fo  repugnant  to  the  Appetites  and  Pafiions 
of  humane  Nature,  fo  difpleafing  to  flelh  and  blood, 
fo  contrary  to  the  Wifdom  of  the  World ;  a  Doc- 
trine that  was  ridiculed  by  the  great  Philofophers  of 
the  Age,  and  perfecuted  by  the  Princes  of  the  Earth  ? 
Mud  not  the  happy  Entertainment  it  met  with,  be 
principally  afcrib'd  to  the  demonftration  of  the  Spirit 

.    and 


of  the  G  of  pel  13 

and   power  that  accompany 'd  it  ? What  but  an 

almighty  Arm  could  deftroy  the  Kingdom  of  Satan, 
and  banifh  the  Prince  of  darknefs  from  his  ancient 

dominions  ?- Who  but  the  Spirit  of  Grace  coulcj 

fubdue  the  obftinacy  of  rebellious  Sinners,  and  fet  up 
the  Throne  of  Chrift  in  the  Hearts  of  Men  ?—  What 
but  a  divine  power  could  fupport  the  primitive  Chrif- 
tians  under  their  numberlefs  hardfliips,  and  influence 
the  mod  foft  and  delicate  Natures  to  defpife  the  Cru- 
elty of  Tyrants,  and  bravely  encounter  the  moft  tor- 
menting Deaths?  This  mud  be  own'd  to  have  been  the 
Work  of  God,  and  a  remarkable  evidence  of  the  divine 
Authority  of  the  Gofpel. 

2.  How  vaft  is  the  Guilty  how  awful  the  danger  of 
thofe^  who  reje^i  the  DoBriue  of  Chrift  i  The  Jews  per- 
fecuted  Chrift  in  his  State  of  fuffering  and  weaknefs, 
and  the  Gentiles  oppos'd  the  Progrefs  of  the  Gofpel 
through  the  ftrength  and  prejudice  of  Education;  but 
the  Infidels  of  the  prefent  Age  infult  him  upon  his 
Throne,  and  caft  contempt  upon  him,  to  whom  all 
power  in  Heaven  and  Earth  is  committed ;  and  that 
after  the  cleareft"  difcoveries  of  his  divine  Authority, 
and  the  fulleft  evidence  of  the  truth  of  his  Miflion. 
Their  Sin  therefore  is  of  a  deeper  Dye  than  the  Ini- 
quities of  Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  and  their  punilh- 
ment  will  be  more  fevere  than  the  deftru6lion  of 
ignorant  Heathens.  Had  the  Princes  of  this  World 
been  acquainted  with  the  dignity  of  his  Perfon  and  the 
excellence  of  his  Doctrine,  they  would  not  have  cru- 
cified the  Lord  of  Glory;  this  therefore  was  an  abate- 
ment of  their  Guilt,  and  render'd  them  capable  of 
Pardon :  but  now  the  Sun  of  Righteoufnefs  hath  ap- 
peared in  fuch  vifible  Glory,  chafed  away  the  darknels 
of  Heathenifm,  and  eftabljlh'd  bis  Kingdom  upon  the 
Ruins  of  Superftition  and  Idolatry,  it  is  unaccountable 
Obftinacy  not  to  acknowledge  his  Authority,  and  fub- 
mit  to  his  juft  and  righteous  Government.  Such  have 
no  Ctoak  for  their  Sin,  no  excufe  for  their  Infidelity  -, 

Q  z  .but 


14  The  wonderful  Fropagation 

but  may  juftly  expe6l  that  the  Saviour  whom  they 
defpife,  will  clothe  himfelf  with  Vengeance  as  with  a 
Garment,  and  execute  an  exemplary  punilliment  on 
his  Enemies,  in  proportion  to  the  degrees  of  Light 
they  have  refifted,  and  the  invaluable  Mercies  they 
have  abufed. 

3.  ^be  S anility  of  manners^  fo  remarkable  in  the  jirfi 
Days  of  the  Gofpely  fever ely  reproves  the  awful  degene- 
racy of  the  prefent  Age.  The  Primitive  Difciples  of 
Chrift  were  fliining  examples  of  Virtue,  they  caft  a 
Glory  upon  their  Profeffion,  and  recommended  it  with 
advantage  to  the  World.  Their  Piety  was  fervent 
without  Superftion  and  Idolatry,  their  Charity  diffu- 
fivc  without  hypocrify  and  referve;  they  pradiifed  an 
afcetic  Virtue  in  the  midft  of  alluring  temptations,  and 
manifefted  a  generous  contempt  of  the  World,  when 
furrounded  with  its  moft  agreable  enjoyments; —  but 
where  is  that  ancient  Piety  and  Virtue,  by  which  th^ 

prinitive  Chriftians  were  fo  juftly  diflinguifh'd? • 

Where  that  Purity  of  faith  and  fandlity  of  manners, 
by  which  they  fhone  as  Lights  in  the  World,  and  in- 
fpired  their  very  perfecutors  with  awe  and  reverence? 
Alas  !  in  this  degenerate  Age,  Religion  is  wounded  in 
the  Houfe  of  its  Friends,  the  Profelfors  of  the  Gofpel 
are  oftentimes  Enemies  to  the  Crofs  of  Chrift,  and 
the  venerable  Name  by  which  we  are  called,  is  in^ 
fiilted  and  blafphemed  by  reafon  of  the  fcandalous 
mifcarriages  of  thofe  who  enroll  their  Names  among 
the  number  of  his  followers :  this  is  indeed  a  melan- 
choly relied  ion,  and  fhoiild  infpire  us  with  a  pious 
Indignation  againft  the  Vices  and  Impieties  of  the 
Age,  and  inkindle  in  our  Breafts  a  fervent  Zeal  to 
advance  the  honour  of  that  holy  Religion  we  pro- 
fefs. 

4.  Lei  us  fincerely  endeavour  after  a  faving  acquaint 
tayice  vnth  this  Myflery  of  Godlinefs.  Our  bleifed  Sa- 
viour is  propos'd  unto  us  in  the  Gofpel  as  the  proper 
Objed  oi  our  Faith,  and  recommended  to  our  Efteem 

and 


of  the  Gofpel  i^ 

and  Regard  by  the  moft  pov/erfal  and  perfwafive 
Arguments.  This  is  a  faithful  Saying,  and  worthy  of 
all  acceptation,  that  Jefus  Chrift  is  come  into  the  World 
to  fave  Sinners-,  our  Neceflity  loudly  demands  his 
affiftance,  and  his  gracious  Invitations  fhould  encou- 
rage us  to  fly  to  him  as  our  Saviour.  It  is  not  enough 
that  we  yield  a  naked  aflent  unto  the  Gofpel,  but  our 
Faith  muft  purify  the  Heart,  and  produce  the  works 
of  fincere  Obedience,  if  we  would  be  entided  to  the 
favour  of  Chrift,  and  own'd  as  his  faithful  Servants;  if 
we  believe  his  Dodlrines,  we  muft  regulate  our  Lives 
by  his  excellent  Precepts,  and  imitate  his  perfect  and 
fhining  Example :  for  a  Chriftian  in  Nam.e  and  pro- 
fefllon  only,  having  a  form  of  Godlinefs  but  denying 
the  Power  of  it,  is  one  of  the  worft  of  Infidels,  and 
will  be  difowned  by  Chrift  in  the  great  Day,  and 
herded  among  the  number  of  his  Enemies. 

To  Conclude,  therefore  let  us  now  be  perfwaded 
to  accept  of  Chrift  as  our  Saviour,  and  adore  him  as 
our  I^ord  and  Mafter.  Let  us  be  imitators  of  their 
Faith,  Patience  and  Holinefs,  who  through  Grace  in- 
herit the  Promifes.  Let  us  earneftly  long  and  pray 
for  that  happy  time,  when  all  the  Enemies  of  Chnfi 
Jhall  he  fuhdued  under  his  Feet  -,  when  that  promife  to 
the  Son  of  God  ftiall  receive  its  fulleft  accomplifh- 
ment,  /  will  give  thee  the  Heathen  for  thine  Inheritance^ 
and  the  uttermofi  parts  of  the  Earth  for  thy  pojfejfion  ; 
when  the  Kingdsms  of  this  World  fhall  in  a  more  illuf- 
trious  manner  become  the  Kingdoms  of  the  Lord  and  of 
his  Chrift,  To  whom  be  Glory  and  Dominion  for 
ever.    AMEN, 


Preacb'd  Sepu  lo^ 


SER^ 


(  lO 


SERMON  IL 

The  certainty  of  a  future  Judgment. 

H  E  B.  VI.  2. 

And  of  eternal  Judgment. 


T  is  the  diflinguifiiing  privilege  of  Man,  the  lord 
of  this  lower  world,  that  he  was  made  a  reafon- 
able  and  accountable  creature,  and  defign'd  for  a 
future  State  of  immortality  *,  the  noble  powers 
with  which  he  is  endowed,  and  the  vail  improvements 
be  is  capable  of,  were  not  intended  to  be  confined  to 
this  dark  and  imperfed:  Scene  of  a61:ion :  Death  that 
deilroys  our  earthly  frame,  and  puts  an  End  to  our 
worldly  bufinefs  and  enjoyments,  does  not  put  a  final 
period  to  our  being,  but  tranflates  us  into  a  future 
Hate :  when  we  pals  off  the  llage  of  time,  we  enter 
upon  an  unalterable  eternity  j  for  after  death  cG77ies  the 

.This  is  an  important  Article  of  the  chriflian  faith, 
frequently  inculcated  in  the  facred  Oracles,  and  almoft 
univcrfilly  received  in  the  world.  It  is  mentioned  in 
our  text  as  one  of  the  firji  principles  of  the  doctrine  of 
Chrill,  and  the  foundation  of  pra6lical  Religion.  It  is 
therefore   di  the  higheft  confequence,  to  fix  in  our 

minds 


Hd\  9    i/' 


The  Certainty  of  a  future  Judgment.        ly 

minds  an  unfhaken  perfwafion  of  this  awful  truth,  that 
we  may  feel  its  happy  influence,  and  be  excited  to 
prepare  for  the  coming  of  our  Lord.  To  this  end  it 
is  my  defign  from  the  words  now  read, 

Firft,  To  confidcr  the  Evidences  of  a  future  Judg- 
ment. 

Secondly,  To  make  fome  Im^roijement  of  this  Im- 
portant Dodlrine. 

Firft.  I  am  to  confider  the  Evidences  of  a  future 
Judgment,     And  here  I  Ihall  oblerve, 

I.  ^he  voice  of  confcience  hears  tejlitnony  imto  it. 
There  is  implanted  in  the  breaft  of  every  man  a  con- 
fcience, on  which  is  engraven  with  a  pen  of  iron  and 
the  point  of  a  diamond,  the  necefl[iiry  and  immutable 
diftin(5lion  between  virtue  and  vice,  between  good  and 

evil: hence  aiifes  that  happy  ferenity  of  mind, 

that  fecret  joy  and  fatisfadlion  that  attends  the  practice 
of  virtue,  and  thofe  diftrefling  fears  and  gloomy  fuf- 
picions,  which  are  the  melancholy  companions  of  vice 
and  impiety :  So  that  the  good  man  has  an  inward 
fupport  and  comfort,  even  when  he  meets  with  nothing 
but  frowns  and  difcouragements  from  without,  and  is 
often  filled  with  joyful  expedlations  of  a  reward  in  the 
midft  of  worldly  darknefs  and  difficulty  ♦,  on  the  other 
hand  the  wicked  are  haunted  with  perpetual  terrors  in 
the  moil  profperous  circumftances  of  life,  and  terrified 
with  the  apprehenfions  of  future  vengeance,  tho'  their 
•crimes  are  concealed  from  the  world,  and  committed 
in  the  darkeft  privacy.  At  the  approach  of  death, 
when  all  hopes  and  fears  are  at  end  with  refpedt  to 
this  life,  then  thefe  apprehenfions  are  the  mofl  lively 
and  vigorous  :  in  that  melancholy  hour  the  wicked 
are  in  a  more  efpecial  manner  ftung  with  remorfe  for 
their  iniquities, —  refledl  with  horror  upon  their  pjfi 
lives,  and  tremble  at  the  appiclicnfion  of  impending 

VCi> 


J  8  The  Certainty 

vengeance;  whereas  the  righteous  are  oftentimes  fup- 
ported  with  the  moft  fprightly  hopes,  and  amidft  the 
agonies  and  convulfions  of  nature,  are  revived  with  the 
joyful  profpe6t  of  immortality  and  glory. 

Nor  are  thefe  impreffions  of  futurity  peculiar  to 
men  of  narrow  minds,  of  gloomy  and  fufpicious  tem- 
pers, but  men  of  all  orders  and  degrees,  of  all  ages 
and  conditions  have  felt  the  force  of  them.  Confcience 
exercifes  its  power  without  refped  of  perfons,  the 
greateft  monarchs  are  equally  liable  to  its  reproaches 
with  the  meaneft  of  their  lubjeds;—  infulting  tyrants 
have  trembled  at  the  remembrance  of  their  guilt,  tho* 
plac'd  above  the  reach  of  any  human  tribunal,  and 
furrounded  with  a  fervile  train  of  flatterers  and  depen- 
dants. Confcience  is  neither  aw'd  by  greatnefs,  nor 
brib'd  by  riches,  nor  charm'd  into  filence  by  gaieties 
and  pleafure :  it  breaks  through  the  ftrongeft  guards, 
infinuates  into  the  palaces  of  the  mighty,  and  is  not 
afraid  to  fay  to  a  Kin^  Thou  art  wicked^  and  to  PrinceSy 
Te  are  ungodly.  It  lets  before  them  a  black  catalogue 
of  their  crimes,  cites  them  before  the  inlightned  tri- 
bunal of  heaven,  and  fills  them  with  fearful  expedta- 
tions  of  a  judgment  to  come. 

The  Sinner  may  indeed  filence  the  voice  of  confci- 
ence for  a  time,  and  fupprefs  thefe  uneafy  impreffions 
while  he  is  amufed  with  company  and  ingaged  in  bu- 
finefs  or  diverfion,  yet  ^hey  are  hardly  ever  quite  ef- 
Eic'd  and  obliterated  •,  tut  when  the  wicked  are  retir'd 
from  the  vanities  of  the  world,  when  any  accident 
intervenes,  that  puts  a  flop  to  the  gaiety  of  their 
thoughts,  and  difpofes  them  to  ferioufneis  and  reflec- 
tion, the  mind  awakes  out  of  its  ilupidity,  and  is 
haraflTed  with  continual  Images  of  horror.  Now  to 
what  fhall  we  afcribe  thefe  awful  apprehenfions  of 
futurity,  that  fo  univerfally  pofTefs  the  breafls  of  men, 
and  attend  us  to  the  laft:  period  of  Life?  Mufl  we  not 
ilippofe  that  they  are  imprelTions  flampt  upon  our 
^•uiture  by  the  wife  Authgr  of  our  beings,  and  de- 
--  fign'd 


cf  a  future  '^uJgwent.  19 

fign'd  to  warn  us  of  a  future  judgment  ?  and  confe- 
quently  that  thefe  Joys  of  the  righteous  are  the  dawn- 
ings  of  immortality  and  the  earned  of  eternal  happi- 
nefs,  <ind  that  the  terrors  of  the  wicked  are  the  begin- 
ning  of  Sorrows,  and  the  firft  fruits  of  endlefs  and 
intolerable  mifery. 

2.  *The  Perfe^icns  of  God^  the  fupreme  Governor  of 
tie  ijcorld^  feem  to  require  a  future  judgment.  The 
firft  notion  we  entertain  of  God  is,  that  he  is  infinitely 
perfe6t  in  all  his  attributes ;  and  whatever  implies  the 
leaft  imperfedfion,  ftrikes  at  the  very  exiftence  of  the 
Deity,  and  banifhes  him  out  of  the  world. 

The  admirable  beauty  that  appears  on  the  f^ce  of 
Nature,  the  wife  difpofition  of  its  various  parts,  and 
their  mutual  fubferviency  to  the  good  of  the  whole, 
are  Handing  evidences  that  this  world  was  made  at 
firft  by  a  wife  and  powerful  Being,  and  is  continually 
prefer ved  and  governed  by  his  gracious  providence  : 
Nor  can  it  be  (uppofed  that  infinite  Wifdom  fhould 
be  employed  in  ordering  the  inferior  creation  with  fuc]> 
furprifmg  harmony  and  exaflnefs,  and  caft  off  the 
care  of  man,  his  favourite  creature,  and  the  moft  noble 
part  of  his  workmanfhip. 

Now  if  God  is  fo  infinitely  perfedb  in  himfelf,  and 
human  affairs  are  fubjecl  to  his  wife  and  univerfal  pro- 
vidence, we  may  juftly  conclude,  that  as  he  loves 
righteoufnefs  and  hateth  iniquity,  lb  he  will  encourage 
the  one  and  difcountenance  the  other,  in  a  way  agrea- 
ble  to  the  undoubted  perfections  of  his  nature,  and 
confequently  will  make  a  vifible  diftindion  between 
the  generation  of  his  fai;hful  Servants,  and  the  com- 
pany of  his  implacable  enemies. —  The  Purity  of  the 
divine  Nature,  and  the  juftice  of  his  Government 
aflures  us,  that  he  will  not  condemn  the  innocent,  nor 
always  fuffer  the  guilty  to  efcape  with  im.punity  •,  this 
would  be  an  unanfwerable  reflexion  upon  an  earthly 
Prince,  and  foon  bring  his  Government  into  univeriiil 
confufion  and  contempt,,  and  therefore  mufl  not  be 

D  attri- 


20  The    Certainty 

attributed  to  the  fupreme  Governour  of  the  world, 
who  is  wifer  than  the  Kings  of  the  earth. —  The  only 
queftion  then  is,  Whether  in  the  prefent  difpenfations 
of  providence,  there  is  this  vifible  difference  made 
between  the  righteous  and  the  wicked,  between  him 

that  fervesGod,  and  him  that  ferveth  him  not  ? Is 

virtue  always  rewarded  in  this  world,  and  vice  re- 
markably punifli'd  ? This  cannot  be  pretended, 

the  contrary  is  evident  to  the  moil  carclefs  obferver. 

We  daily  behold  a  great  deal  of  darknefs  and  diffi- 
culty appearing  upon  the  face  of  providence,  and  good 
and  evil  feem  to  be  indifferently  difpcnfed  to  the  righ- 
teous and  to  the  -wicked,  ^here  is  one  event  to  thejiift 
and  to  the  unjiifty  to  him  that  fweareth^  and  to  hiyn  that 
feareth  an  oath  *,  without  any  frequent  interpofition  to 
vindicate  the  caufe  of  innocence,  and  punifh  the  vio- 
lence of  the  opprelTor.  The  vertuous  man  is  not 
fecured  from  the  common  trials  and  afflidions  of  life, 
but  oftentimes  Hands  peculiarly  expofed  to  the  blafls 
of  adverfity  ;  his  ftrength  and  beauty  is  confumed  by 
wafting  difeafes,  his  eftate  devoured  by  opprelTion  and 
injuftice,  and  his  reputation  fullied  by  the  breath  of 
envy  and  malice. —  While  the  wicked  are  triumphing 
in  profperity,"!"  Neither  are  they  plagued  like  other  men\ 
they  live^  they  lecome  old^  they  are  mighty  in  power^ 
their  feed  is  eftahlijh^d  in  their  fight ^  and  their  offspring 
tefore  their  eyes',  their  houfes  are  fafe  fro7n  fear^  neither 
is  the  rod  of  God  iipon  them  -,  they  fpend  their  days  in 
wealth,  and  in  a  moment  (without  any  remarkable 
judgment)  they  go  down  to  the  grave  \\. —  'Thus  we  fee 
a  juft  man  to  whom  it  happeneth  according  to  the  work 
cf  the  wicked,  and  a  wicked  man  to  whom  it  happeneth 

according  to  the  work  of  the  righteous  ** ; It  is  no 

uncommon  fight,  to  behold  men  of  diftinguilh'd  vice 
advanced  to  places  of  dignity  and  power,  and  enjoy 
the  largeft  ihare  of  wealth  and  efteem, —  while  men 

of 


EccU  9«  2:,    t  Vial  73.  J,    li  jQhs  ii.  7?   ^»£'f^/.8,  If 


cf  a  future  Judgment.  11 

of  unblemlfli'd  vertue  are  treated  as  the  off-fcouring 
of  all  things,  and  abandoned  to  poverty  and  contempt. 
Perfecuted  innocence  ftands  trembling  at  the  barr, 
while  wickednefs  is  exalted  to  the  throne.  The  moft 
eminent  Saints  are  clothed  in  rags,  and  deftitute  of  the 
conveniencies  of  Life,  while  the  brutifh  epicure  is 
clothed  in  purple  and  fcarlet,  and  fares  fumptuoufly 
every  day. —  Nay,  the  wicked  often  attain  to  their 
greatnefs  and  power,  by  the  moft  unjuft  and  difgrace- 
tul  methods  •,  they  afcend  to  the  pinacle  of  honour 
upon  the  ruins  of  their  opprefled  neighbours;  when  at 
the  fame  time'the  righteous,  for  their  fteady  adherence 
to  the  Laws  of  God,  and  zeal  and  fidelity  in  his  fer- 
vice,  are  perfecuted  in  their  names,  robb'd  of  their 
eftates,  and  expofed  to  the  lofs  of  all  the  valuable  en- 
joyments of  life. Thus  the  illuftrious  Saints  of  old, 

of  whom  the  earth  was  not  worthy^  were  perfecuted  and 
abufed,  they  wandered  ahout  in  Jheep-Jkins  and  goat -Jkins, 
they  inhabited  the  dens  and  caverns  of  the  earthy  they 
were  dejlitute^  affliSIed  and  tormented*^  while  their 
guilty  perfecutors  were  honoured  with  the  public 
efteem,  and  enjoy'd  all  the  felicities  that  earth  could 

afford  them. Now  how  fhall  we  reconcile  thefe 

events,  with  the  wifdom  and  juftice  of  divine  Provi- 
dence, if  we  confine  our  thoughts  to  the  prefent  world, 

and  do  not  look  forward  to  a  future  judgment?- 

Will  the  fovereign  Ruler  of  the  univerfe  make  no  juft 
diftindtion  between  thofe  who  infolently  defy  his 
pov/er  and  prophanely  defpife  his  authority,  and 
thofe  who  ftedfaftly  obey  his  laws,  and  facrifice  their 
deareft  enjoyments  in  obedience  to  his  commands  ? — 
Shall  perfecuted  vertue  be  always  hifs'd  off  the  ftage 
with  difgrace,  and  be  buried  in  eternal  filence  and 
oblivion? Shall  the  triumphing  of  the  wicked  en- 
dure  for  ever,  and  the  ungodly  always  polfefs  the 

fruits  of  their  profperous  villanies  ? Where  would 

D  z  be 


^  Heb,  ii«  17 i  38. 


zz  The   Certainty 

be  the  goodnefs  of  the  divine  nature,  if  there  were  no 
reward  tor  thofe  that  dihgenily  feek  him  ?  Where  the 
jufticc  of  his  government,  if  impenitent  tranfgreflbrs 
pafs  for  ever  unpuniflAi  ? And  fmce  this  is  fre- 
quently the  cafe  in  this  world^  we  may  with  the 
higheil  afllirance  exped  and  believe  another,  when 
God  will  pubiickly  reward  the  righteous,  and  fignally 
punifh  the  workers  of  iniquity.  This  world  is  a  ftate 
of  trial,  and  this  is  the  day  of  God's  patience  and  for- 
bearance ;  the  next  will  be  a  time  of  retribution  and 
vengeance  :  when  the  Myfteries  of  divine  providence 
fhall  be  unriddled,  the  darknefs  and  difficulties  thlt 
have  attended  his  difpenfations  fliall  be  removed,  and 
the  whole  adminiftration  of  his  government  ihall  ap- 
pear furprifingly  beautiful  and  regular. 

Tho'  for  a  time  he  may  feem  to  wink  at  the  fins 
of  men,  and  fuffer  them  to  pafs  unpunifh'd  :  Tho'  he 
may  permit  his  fervants  to' be  abufed  and  infulted, 
for  the  trial  of  their  faith,  and  the  brightning  of  their 
vertues:  yet  the  triumphing^  of  the  wicked  is  hut  Jborty 
and  the  jdy  of  the  hypocrite  is  hut  for  a  moment.  The 
God  of  jullice  will  fhqrtly  appear  in  the  defence  of 
his  perfecuted  children,  arid  evidence  to  the  whole  in- 
telligent world,  that  he  loveth  righteoulhefs  and  hateth 
iniquity.  Tho-  clouds  and  darknefs  at  prefent  encom- 
pafs  the  throne  of  his  Juftice,  and  our  itliallow  capa- 
cities are  not  able  to  fearch  into  the  reafons  of  his 
conduct ;  yet  we  may  be  afTured,  that  he  will  fliortly 
vindicate  the  honour  of  his  defpifed  laws,  and  difplay 
the  wifdom  and  equity  of  his  Government.  He  will 
hring  forth  his  righteoufnefs  as  the  lights  and  his  judg- 
7nent  as  the  noon-day.  Every  eye  fhall  fee,  and  every 
tongue  fiiall  confefs,  that  veHly  there  is  a  retvard  for 
the  righteous^  there  is  a  God  that  judgeth  in  the  earth, 
I  proceed  to  fay, 

'  3 .  '^'he  facred  Scriptures  exprefsly  reveal  a  future 
J-udgment.  The  light  of  nature  makes  it  probable, 
that  God  who  made  the  world  by  his  power,   and 

governs 


cf  a  future  Judgment.  ^^ 

governs  it  by  his  providence,  will  alfo  judge  it  here- 
after ;  but  the  light  of  the  Gofpel  gives  us  the  moft 
convincing  evidence  of  this  important  truth,  and 
affures  us,  that  the  day  is  appointed,  and  the  time  is 
prefix'd  in  the  unalterable  decrees  of  heaven.  In  all 
ages  of  the  Church  mankind  have  been  warned  of  this 
awful  day.  Before  the  deftrudtion  of  the  earth  by  the 
flood,  Enoch  the  feventh  from  Adam  prophecied  of  a 
Judgment  to  come,  faying^  Behold^  the  Lord  cometh 
with  ten  thoufand  of  his  Saints  to  execute  judginent  upon 
all*.  Solomon  under  the  law  inculcates  the  fame 
do6trine,  and  allures  us,  that  God  will  bring  every 
work  into  Judgment^  with  every  fecret  things  whether 
it^be  good  or  whether  it  he  evilj.  Our  Lord  himfelf 
informs  us,  that  the  Son  of  man  Jhall  come  in  the  glory 
cf  his  Father^  with  the  holy  angels^  and  then  Jhall  he 
reward  every  man  according  to  his  work\\.  This  doc- 
trine St.  Paul  preach'd  to  the  Athenians.  The  times 
of  this  ignorance  God  winked  at^  but  now  commandeth 
all  men  every  where  to  repent.,  becaufe  he  hath  appointed 
a  day  in  which  he  will  judge  the  world  in  righteoufnefsy 
hy  that  man  whom  he  hath  ordained.,  whereof  he  haib 
given  ajjurance  to  all  men,  in  that  he  hath  raifed  hitn 
from  the  dead^.  St.  Peter  fpeal^s  of  this  day  in  the 
moft  folemn  and  affeding  language.  But  the  day  of 
the  Lord  will  come  as  a  thief  in  the  night.,  in  which  the 
heavens  JJoall  pafs  away  with  a  great  noife.,  and  the 
elements  jhall  melt  with  fervent  heat ;  the  earth  alfj 
and  the  works  that  are  therein  Jhall  be  burnt  up  **, 
Finally,  Our  Saviour  fhuts  up  the  Canon  of  the  New 
Teftament  with  an  exprefs  promiie  of  his  coming. 
Behold  I  come  qiiickly^  and  my  reward  is  with  me,  to 
give  to  every  man  according  as  his  work  Jhall  be  -j-. 

Thus  we  have  not  only  the  teftimony  of  conlcience, 
^he  infinite  perfedions  of  God,  and  the  good nefs  and 

juftice 

*■  Jude  I4,  15.     t  ^ccl.  12.  14.     li  i'datih.  16.27.      §  ^^cl. 
•7'  S*'    ^?^  *^^^»  3»  io.    f" /?fv,  2i.  li  and  zo. 


24  7"^^   Certainty 

juftlce  of  his  Government,  to  affure  us  of  this  great 
truth  ;  but  we  have  the  exprefs  declarations  of  his  will, 
v/hich  gives  us  the  higheft  and  moft  fatisfadlory  evi- 
dence, and  by  which  all  the  other  arguments  that  fup- 
port  it  are  ftrengthned  and  confirm'd  ;  fo  that  we  are 
as  certain  that  there  will  be  a  future  judgment,  as  if 
we  faw  the  heavens  opening,  and  the  almighty  Judge 
defcending,  the  tribunal  ere(5led,  and  the  dead  fmall 
and  great  {landing  before  it.     I  pafs  therefore, 

Secondly,  To  make  fome  Imp'ovement  of  this  aw- 
ful do6lrine.      And  here, 

I .  T^his  manifefts  the  juftice  of  divine  Providence^  and 
anpwers  the  objections  that  are  fo  frequently  brought 
againft  it.  When  we  fee  the  tabernacles  of  robbSrs 
profper,  and  the  prophane  and  ungodly  flourifh  in 
^:S^  and  profper ity  •,  when  the  vileft  men  are  exalted 
to  the  height  of  honour,  and  poflefs  the  largefl  afflu- 
ence of  worldly  enjoyments,  while  the  children  of 
God  are  bow'd  down  with  an  heavy  weight  of  cares, 
and  loaded  with  contempt  and  difg;race: —  When  im- 
penitent  tranfgrefifors  depart  out  of  the  world  in  peace, 
and  the  wicked  have  no  hands  in  their  death  ;  while  the 
righteous  are  perfecuted  to  their  graves  with  reproach, 
and  take  firewel  of  the  world  in  darknefs  and  dif- 
trefs-, —  Men  are  apt  to  draw  the  moft  dark  and  un- 
comfortable conclufions,  and  to  imagine  that  either 
there  is  no  God,  or  that  human  affairs  are  not  under 
his  wife  and  righteous  adminiftration. —  Yea,  this  has 
oftentimes  been  a  ftumbling-block  to  the  moft  emi- 
nent Saints,  and  caufed  their  faith  to  ftagger  and  fail, 
their  feet  have  almojl  flipp*d^  when  they  beheld  the  un- 
interrupted profperity  of  the  wicked,  and  the  diftref- 
fing  calamities  of  the  righteous.  They  have  been 
ready  to  pour  out  that  melancholy  complaint  of  the 
Pialmift,  *  Verily  I  have  cleanfed  my  heart  in  valn^  and 

"wafh^i 


^PfU.  71^  II. 


cf^a  future  Judgment.  ij 

wajh^d  my  hands  in  innocence:  and  to  join  in  that 
pathetic  expoflulation  of  the  Prophet,  PFberefore  da 
the  wicked  profper  ?  wherefore  are  all  they  happy  that 
deal  very  treacheroujly  *  ? —  And  indeed  thefe  would 
be  inextricable  difficulties  in  the  difpenfations  of  pro- 
vidence, that  it  would  be  impoflible  to  account  for, 
if  this  were  the  only  life  of  man,  and  there  were  none 
elfe  to  fucceed  it. 

But  the  dodrine  of  an  eternal  Judgment  fcatters 
the  clouds  that  encompafs  the  paths  of  divine  Provi- 
dence, clears  up  the  myfteries  that  attend  his  Govern- 
ment ;  and  fhews  the  juflice  and  equity,  the  beauty 
and  regularity  of  his  proceedings.  For  this  afTures 
us,  that  every  fecret  iniquity  fhall  be  puniiVd  with 
an  holy  feverity,  and  every  vertuous  adlion  fhall  meet 
with  a  juft  and  fuitable  rccompence.  The  perfecuted 
fervants  of  Chrift  fhall  meet  with  a  diftinguifhing 
reward,  while  their  proud  and  infolent  opprefTors  fhall 
be  doom'd  to  a  ftate  of  the  moil  aggravated  mifery. 
— Why  then  fhould  the  righteous  complain  of  the 
fufferings  of  this  life,  which  are  but  for  a  moment, 
and  fhall  be  recompenced  with  a  fuperior  and  an 
eternal  weight  of  Glory  ? —  Wlvj  fhould  they  repine  at 
the  profperity  of  the  foolifh,  whofe  enjoyments  will 
vanifh  as  a  dream,  and  prepare  them  for  more  fevere 
and  intolerable  torments  ? —  This  furely  may  well 
fatisfy  men  of  the  Juflice  of  divine  Providence, 
even  when  the  greatefl  difficulties  attend  it,  and 
his  ways  appear  mofl  intricate  and  myflerious. 

2 .  'This  fhews  us  the  reafon  of  God^s  patience^  why 
he  hears  fo  long  with  the  provoking  iniquities  of  men. 

Every  wilful  tranfgreffion  is  an  infolent  defiance  of 
the  eternal  Majefly  of  heaven,  and  a  daring  contempt 
of  his  facred  authority ;  impenitent  finners  challenge 
almighty  Juftice,  and  provoke  the  Lord  to  jealoufy, 
as  if  they  were  flronger  than  he.—  And  yet  he  bears 

with 


^6  The  Certainty 

with  aflonifliing  patience  thpjir  continual  -afFrpnts  5  he 
fpares  a  guilty  world  that  ungratefully  defpife  his 
goodnefs,  and  abufe  his  favours  to  wantonnefs  and  ex- 
cefs.  Notwithftanding  their  innumerable  provocati- 
ons, he  ihowers  down  his  favours  upon  them  in  dai- 
ly abundance,  and  fills  their  hearts  with  food  and 
gladnefs: — from  hence  they  take  encouragement  in 
their  wickednefs,  and  flatter  themfelves  that  they  jfhall 
efcape  with  impunity.  They  vainly  imagine  that 
God  does  not  obferve  their  adlions,  or  at  lead  that 
he  will  not  feverely  punifh  them  for  their  crimes. 
Becaufe  fentence  againjl  an  evil  work  is  not  fpeedily 
executed^  therefore  the  hearts  of  the  fons  of  men  are  fully 
fet  in  them  to  do  evil  *. —  But  how  vail  is  their  mad- 
jiefs !  how  unreafonable  is  their  conclufion !  It  is  not 
becaufe  God  is  unacquainted  with  their  ways,  that  he 
forbears  to  punifh  their  rebellions.  For  his  Eyes  run  to 
and  fro  in  the  earthy  beholding  the  evil  and  the  good. 
The  mcft  forlorn  corner  of  the  world  cannot  conceal 
them  from  his  view,  nor  the  darkeft  privacy  banilh 
them  from  his  pre  fence*,  his  Eyes  are  as  a  flaming 
fire,  and  pierce  through  the  thickefl:  darknefs ;  and 
his  difiiifive  influence  extends  to  every  part  of  the 
creation. 

It  is  not  any  defcil  of  his  Power,  that  can  fecure 
the  finner  from  his  avenging  wrath  ;  for  he  made  the 
world  by  the  Authority  of  a  Command,  and  can  de- 
ftroy  it  in  a  moment  by  a  frown  of  his  countenance. 
Sinners  are  always  in  his  hand,  and  he  can  at  once 
eafe  himfelf  of  his  adveriaries,  and  be  avenged  of  his 
enemies.  Fie  can  ftrike  dead  the  intemperate  in  the 
height  of  their  jollity,  and  fill  thetn  with  the  in- 
venom'd  wine  of  his  fury.  He  can  feize  the  pro- 
phane  fwrarer.  in  the  midd  of  his  hellifh  rage,  and 
difpatch  him  out  of  the  world,  with  his  oaths  and 
-rurfes  in  his  n^outh. 

It 

*  Ecdif,  8.  I. 


ef  a  future  JuJgment^  27 

It  is  not  becaufe  divine  Juftlce  is  afleep,  that  he 
does  not  make  bare  his  ahnighty  arm,  furprife  the 
wicked  in  the  very  adl  of  fin,  and  hang  them  up  in 
chains  as  (landing  monuments  of  his  righteous  fe ve- 
rity.—  But  he  waits  with  patience  that  he  may  "lead 
them  to  repentance,  and  delays  the  execution  of  his 
vengeance  to  the  judgment  of  the  great  day.  He 
now  feems  to  wink  at  the  fins  of  men,  to  try  their 
reverence  for  his  authority,  and  obedience  to  his  laws  ; 
and  has  appointed  a  day  for  the  public  triumph  of  his 
Juftice,  in  the  deftrudlion  of  his  implacable  adver- 
saries. He  fuffers  them  to  remain  undifturb'd  in  their 
enjoyments,  and  to  wallow  in  wealth  and  plenty  in 
this  world;  but  they  are  fatning  for  the  day  of  flaugh- 
ter,  and  are  referved  for  a  more  fevcre  and  dreadful 
execution. 

He  is  now  feated  upon  a  throne  of  Grace,  and  en- 
dures with  much  long-fuffering^  the  vejjels  of  ivrath  that 
are  fitted  for  deftruBion^  but  amazing  judgments  are 
denounced  againft  them  in  his  unalterable  word,  and 
will  be  executed  upon  them  in  his  appointed  time. 
'Thefe  things  (fays  he^  haft  thou  dofie^  and  I  kept  filcnce^ 
thou  thoughteft  that  1  was  altogether  fuch  an  one  as  thy 
felf^  hut  I  will  reprove  thee,  and  fet  thy  fins  in  order 
before  thine  eyes*.  In  the  height  of  their  fecuriry, 
when  they  flatter  themfelves  with  peace  and  fafety, 
fudden  deftru5iion  will  come  upon  them  as  travail  upon  a 
woman  with  cUld^  and  they  fijall  710 1  e ft  ape. 

3 .  I^is  Jhews  the  madnefs  of  unthinking  Sinners^  who 
put  the  evil  day  far  from  them,  and  negleSl  to  prepare 
for  a  future  judgtnent.  Since  the  doctrine  of  eternal 
judgment  is  fo  evident  to  the  principles  of  Reafon,  and 
fo  clearly  revealed  in  the  Gofpel  of  Chriil,  it  is  juft 
matter  of  furprife  and  adoniihment,  to  behold  the 
children  of  men  give  a  loofe  to  their  vicious  inclina- 
tions, and  live  in  an  allowed  courie  of  impiety  and  lewd- 


nefs. 


^  /'M  5^-  ^»' 


2  2  The  Certainty 

nefs,  as  if  they  were  made  for  no  higher  end  than  to 
eat  and  drink,  to  laugh  and  to  die,— as  if  they  had  no 
apprehenfions  of  that  great  and  terrible  day  of  the 
Lord,  in  which  they  muft  be  called  to  an  account  for 
their  adlions,  and  muft  appear  at  the  bar  of  an  impar- 
tial judge. 

It  exceeds  all  belief,  did  not  melancl^oly  experience 
make  it  too  plain  to  be  denied,  that  nwltitudes  of 
chriftians,  who  profefs  to  expe6t  a  day  of  judgment, 
Ihould  be  fo  flothful  and  unadtive  in  their  preparations 
for  it  •,  that  thofe  who  are  convinced,  that  the  wicked 
fhall  be  condemned  in  that  day,  and  expofed  to  the 
vengeance  of  eternal  fire,  fhould  yet  retain  their  be- 
loved lufts,  and  continue  in  as  much  eafe  and  fecurity 
as  if  thefe  awful  truths  were  the  dreams  of  enthufiafm, 
and  the  wrath  of  God  were  no  more  to  be  dreaded 
than  an  infignificant  fcarecrow. —  To  what  fhall  we 
afcnbe  this  general  ftupidity  and  impiety  of  men  ? 
Whence  arifes,  O  Sinner  !  your  inward  peace  and  fe- 
curity, when  wrath  from  heaven  is  revealed  againft 
you,  and  hell  from  beneath  opens  its  mouth  wide  to 
receive  you  ?  Do  you  believe  there  is  a  juft  and  pow- 
erful Being  to  whom  you  are  accountable,  that  a  me- 
morial is  kept  of  your  fecret  iniquities,  and  that  he 
will  make  a  ftri6t  enquiry  into  your  adions?  And 
can  you  yet  pei  fift  in  your  finful  courfes,  and  live  in  a 

carelefs  negle6l  of  God  and  your  duty  ? This  is 

madnefs  beyond  a  parallel ;  you  are  more  infenfible 
than  the  brutal  world,  who  will  not  rufh  into  a  deftrudi- 
on  they  are  apprized  of. —  But  alas!  the unhappinefs 
of  mankind  is,  that  they  banifh  thefe  folemn  truths  out 
of  their  minds;  otherwife  they  could  not  be  fo  carelefs 
and  fecure,  they  would  not  dare  to  fpend  their  days  in 
mirth,  and  their  years  in  pleafure,  without  any  ferious 
regard  to  God,  their  almighty  Judge,  or  to  their  im- 
mortal fouls,  which  are  upon  the  brink  of  eternal 
mifery.—  Or  if  thefe  melancholy  thoughts  fometimes 
crowd  into  their  minds,  they  Ihift  them  off  as  unwel- 
come 


cf  a  future  Jugfgment.  29 

•  -c^me  guefts,  to  a  more  convenient  opportunity,  and 
join  with  the  fcoffers  of  old,  (Iiyii^g,  The  vifwn  is  for 
many  days.  They  are  fo  captivated  with  the  vanities 
and  amufements  of  life,  fo  immers'd  in  its  cares  and 
employments,  that  they  are  averfe  to  cxercife  their 
thoughts  upon  fuch  harfh  and  ungrateful  fubjeds,  and 
flatter  themfelves  that  they  ihall  have  time  enough 
hereafter,  w]ien  they  are  fatiated  with  the  pleafures  of 
life. —  But  what  can  be  more  ftupid  than  to  leave 
your  moft  important  concerns  at  a  defperate  uncer« 
tainty,  and  fpend  your  days  in  unprofitable  trifles  ?— 
Indeed,  could  you  prevent  the  approach  of  that  day, 
by  banifliing  the  thoughts  of  it  out  of  your  minds  ; 
would  the  Judge  wait  upon  your  unreafonable  delays, 
.and  put  off  the  time  of  his  coming  until  you  were 
prepared  to  go  forth  to  meet  him,  you  would  have 
ibme  excufe  for  your  negligence.  But  fince  the  day 
is  fwiftly  approaching,  whether  you  regard  it  or  no, 
fince  the  end  of  all  things  is  at  hand,  and  the  Judge 
is  even  at  the  door,  it  is  the  height  of  didra&ion  to 
drive  the  thoughts  of  his  coming  out  of  your  mindr, 
and  put  the  evil  day  far  from  you-,  and  efpecially  if  we 
confider,  that  the  frequent  fore- thoughts  of  this  impos* 
tant  event  is  a  likely  means  to  perfvvade  us  to  a  .uli- 
gent  preparation  for  it :  and  if  this  be  the  happy 
efFed,  we  fhall  efcape  the  terrors  of  that  day,  an!  I  c 
able  to  hold  up  our  heads  with  joy,  and  ftaiid  with 
comfort  before  the  Son  of  Man  at  the  time  of  his  illuf^ 
trious  appearance  -,  which  brings  me  to  fay, 

4.  and  finally,  l^be  do^rine  of  a  future  Judgment 
adminifters  comfort  to  the  people  of  God,  under  all  the 
trials  and  perfecutions  that  they  ?neet  with  in  the  world^ 
Tho'  at  p relent  they  feem  doom'd  to  a  (late  of  fuiTer- 
ing  and  difgrace,  and  are  made  fpc6lacles  of  mifery  to 
Angels  and  Men,  yet  this  may  fupport  their  finking 
fpirits,  and  relieve  their  defponding  thoughts  ;  to  con- 
fider that  all  the  hardfhips  they  meet  with  are  recordecj 
ia  the  book  of  God's  remembrance,  and  Ihall  be 


30         The  Certainty  of  a  future  Judgment. 

mention'd  to  their  immortal  honour  in  the  great  day 
of  accounts.  Tho'  they  are  made  the  laughing-flock 
of  fools,  and  reproached  and  condemned  by  an  abuflve 
world,  yet  the  inward  teflimony  of  their  confcience, 
and  the  profpecb  of  the  future  applaufe  of  their  Judge, 
inay  preferve  their  Souls  in  peace,  and  enable  them 
to  defpile  the  cenfures  of  their  malicious  adverfaries. — 
In  fine,  to  fuppofe  the  worfl,  tho'  they  may  be  called 
to  pafs  through  the  fiery  trial,  and  be  expofed  to  the 
cxtreamefl  fulferings  for  the  fake  of  Chrifl,  yet  they 
may  maintain  their  ground  with  invincible  courage, 
when  they  confider,  that  the  Jufferings  of  this  prefent 
time  are  not  worthy  to  he  compared  to  the  glory  thatjhall 
he  revealed  in  them.  Their  fidelity  to  God  fhall  mee-t 
with  a  diftinguifhing  reward,  and  their  patient  fufFer- 
ings  fhall  be  crown'd  with  immortal  Glory. 

'  Wherefore,  my  beloved  Brethren,  let  us  all  be  ani- 
mated with  a  noble  ambition  to  become  of  the  number 
of  the  righteous,  and  be  excited  to  unblemifh'd  fide- 
lity in  the  fervice  of  our  Mafter  and  Judge;  and  then 
we  may  with  joy  and  comfort  look  for  the  hlejfed  hope^ 
and  the  glorious  appearing  of  the  great  God  and  our  Sa- 
mour  Jefus  Chriji. 

To  whom,  &Vc 

AMEN. 


Pieach'd  Ntv.  zo. 
1737- 


SER- 


(31  ) 


SERMON  III. 

The  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  appointed  to 
be  the  Judge  of  the  World. 


ACT.  X.  4z. 

And  he  comfyiandcd  m  to  preach  idnto  the  PeopUi 
and  to  reflijyy  that  it  u  He  which  was  ordain- 
ed of  God  to  be  the  Judge  oj  quick  and  dead^ 


THAT  God  will  judge  the  World  in  righ- 
teoufnefs,  is  a  truth  agreable  to  the  light 
of  nature,  that  candle  of  the  Lord,  which 
inlightens  every  man  that  comes  into  the 
world  ;  and  has  obtain'd  the  confent  of  all  ages,  not 
only  among  the  nations  who  live  in  the  valley  of  vifion 
and  enjoy  the  fuperpatural  revelation  of  the  Gofpel, 
but  alfo  among  thofe  who  inhabit  the  regions  of  dark- 
nefs,  and  are  ftrangers  to  the  Covenant  of  promife. 

Indeed  the  Gentile  world  had  but  dark  and  confufed 
potions  pf  a  future  Judgment  •,  they  difguifed  this 
awful  truth  under  the  mod  abfurd  and  ridiculous  fidli- 
ons ;  yet  the  belief  of  it  was  almoft  univerfal :  We 
have  frequent  intimations  of  it  in  the  fables  of  their 
Poets,  the  harangues  of  their  Orators,  and  the  pre- 
fcripts  of  their  celebrated  moralifts.  But  tho'  they 
expeded  a  day  of  future  recompence,  in  which  the 

righ- 


3^  J^ftiS  Chrifi  appointed 

righteous  would  be  fignally  rewarded,  and  the  wicked 
remarkably  punifh'd,  yet  they  were  intirely  ignorant 
of  the  Perfon  by  whom  this  Judgment  ftioiild  be  ad-^ 
miniftred,  and  the  furprifmg  circumftances  that  fhould 
attend  his  approach.  This  was  one  of  the  fecrets  of 
the  divine  Counfel,  which  none  of  the  Princes  or  Phi- 
lofophers  of  the  world  were  acquainted  with,  and 
which  we  could  never  have  difcovered  by  our  mofl 
painful  and  laborious  enquiries,  had  not  God  been 
pleas'd  to  reveal  it  unto  us  in  his  word ;  and  here  we 
have  not  only  the  nature  of  a  future  Judgment  un- 
folded, but  the  awful  folemnities  that  will  attend  it 
defcribed,  and  are  affured  that  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift 
is  ordained  of  God  to  he  the  Judge  of  the  quick  and  the 
dead :  which  words  afford  us  this  important  dodtrbe 
for  the  fubjed  of  our  prefent  meditation, 

"That  The  Lord  Jefus  Chrifi  is  appointed  the  fupreme 
and  tmiverfal  Judge  of  the  world. 

In  fpeaking  to  which  (by  divine  afTiflance)  I  fhall, 

Firft,  Confider  how  clearly  this  great  truth  is  re^ 
veahd  in  the  word  of  God. 

Secondly,  Shew  how  excellently  Chrifi  is  qualified 
for  this  exalted  ofHce. 

Thirdly,  Enquire  into  the  Reafons  of  this  Divine 

appointment. 

Firfl.  I  am  to  confider  how  clearly  it  is  revealed  in 
thd  zvord  of  Gody  that  the  Lord  Jefus  is  appointed  the 
great  and  univerfal  Judge  of  the  world. 

The  fupreme  power  of  Judgment  belongs  to  the 
BlefTed  God,  v/hofe  creatures  we  are,  by  whofe  Laws 
v/e  are  governed,  and  to  whom  we  are  accountable 
for  our  moral  a6i-!on3  :  the  cxercife  of  this  power  is 
committed  to  Chrift,  the  only  mediator  between  God 

and 


to  It  the  JuJge  of  the  WortJ.  3  5 

and  man.  This  our  Saviour  himfelf  exprefsly  declares. 

Job.  5.  22.  ^he  Father  judgeth  no  man^  hit  hath  com-^ 
mitted  all  judgment  to  the  Son,  He  alTures  his  Diici- 
pies,  that  the  hour  is  comings  in  which  all  that  are  in 
their  graves  Jhall  hear  his  voice.,  and  Jhall  come  forth  ; 
they  that  have  done  good,  to  the  refurre5iion  of  life,  and 
they  that  have  done  evil,  to  the  refurreBion  of  damna- 
tion, verf.  28,  29.— The  Angels  publifh'd  the  fame 
dodlrine  at  our  Lord's  afcenfion,  and  informed  his 
aflonifh'd  Difciples,  that  this  fame  Jefus  whom  they  had 
feen  taken  up  into  heaven,  fhould  fo  come  in  like  man- 
ner as  they  had  feen  him  go  up  into  heaven.  A<51.  i .  1 1. 
— This  truth  the  Apoftles  were  commanded  to  preach 
and  teflify  to  all  People :  therefore  we  find  St.  Paul 
declaring  to  the  Philofophers  of  Athens,  that  God 
would  judge  the  world  in  righteoufnefs  hy  that  Man 
whom  he  had  ordained,  Adl.  17.  31. —  And  our  Lord 
himfelf  repeats  the  promife  of  his  coming,  in  the  Re- 
velation of  St.  John,  the  laft  of  the  infpired  writings. 
Behold  I  come  quickly,  and  my  reward  is  with  ine.  Rev. 
22.  12.  From  thefe,  and  innumerable  other  Texts 
that  might  be  mentioned,  we  have  the  fullefl  evidence 
that  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrlft  is  appointed  the  fupreme 
Judge  of  the  world. 

He  is  now  feated  at  the  right  hand  of  the  Majefty  • 
on  high,  and  dwells  in  inacceffible  Glory  ;  the  whole 
creation  is  fubjedt  to  his  authority,  and  he  governs 
the  inhabitants  of  heaven  and  earth  according  to  his 
fovereign  pleafure.  He  is  indeed  invifible  to  mortal 
eyes,  and  the  curtains  of  heaven  conceal  his  glory 
from  us.  But  thefe  heavens  Ihall  fhortly  fafs  away 
as  a  fcroll,  and  flee  from  before  his  prefence  ;  then  fhall 
he  appear  in  the  majefty  of  an  incarnate  God,  and  all 
nations  Ihall  be  fummon'd  before  his  awful  tribunal. 
I  pafs. 

Secondly,    To  flaew  how  melkntly  he  is  qualified' 
for  this  exdtd  office. 

All 


34  Jefus  Chrijl  dp  pointed 

All  human  Judgments  are  fubjed  to  innumerable 
imperfe6lions,  and  the  caufe  of  Juftice  is  often  per- 
verted through  ignorance,  partiality  and  prejudice. 
To  judge  the  world  in  righteoufnefs,  is  a  work  too 
diiEcuk  to  be  performed  by  the  mod  excellent  crea- 
ture. The  Blefled  Jefus^  who  is  in  the  Bofom  of  his 
Father,  and  is  intimately  acquainted  with  the  divine 
fecrets,  he  alone  is  capable  of  this  important  commif- 
fion,  and  he  has  all  thofe  qualities  which  are  necelTary 
to  the.  juft  and  impartial  difcharge  of  it. 

I.  His  Knowledge  is  infinite. It  is  highly  requi- 

fite,  that  the  fupreme  Judge  of  the  world  ihould  have 
an  exa6l  and  intimate  acquaintance  with  all  perfons 
that  are  brought  before  him,  and  a  full  knowledge  of 
the  nature  and  circumftances  of  the  a(5lions  for  which 

they  are  to  be  judged. For  want  of  this,  infupcra- 

ble  difficulties  attend  the  adminiftration  of  human 
juftice :  the  innocent  are  oftentimes  expofed  to  an 
hard  and  unrighteous  fentence,  and  the  guilty  efcape 
the  puniihment  they  have  deferved. —  But  the  Judg- 
ment of  the  great  day  will  be  perfectly  free  from  any 
uncertainty  or  miftake  *,  the  knowledge  of  Chrift  be- 
ing univerfal  and  unerring.  All  things  are  naked  and 
open  to  the  Eyes  of  him  with  whom  we  have  to  do^  Heb. 
4.  13.  He  knows  the  perfons,  and  is  acquainted 
with  all  the  adions  of  the  children  of  men.  His  Eyes 
are  as  fiames  of  fir e^  and  penetrate  into  the  fecret  re- 
cefTes  of  the  foul ;  he  difcerns  the  thoughts  and  intenti- 
ons of  the  hearty  the  inward  motives  apd  defigns  of 
our  adlions.  Thofe  abominadons  which  are  carefully 
concealed  from  the  v/orld,  and  committed  in  the 
darkeft  privacy,  are  as  open  to  his  critical  infpedtion, 
^s  if  they  had  been  perpetrated  in  the  blaze  of  day, 
and  expofed  to  the  public  view  of  the  world :  for  the 
darbiefs  hideth  not  from  him.,  hut  the  flight  Jhineth  as. 
the  day ^  Pfal.  139.  12.  Tho'  the  wicked  fly  to  un- 
inhabited defarts,  and  ihelter  themfelves  in  the  dens 
and  caverns  of  the  earth,  thefc  difinal  folitudes  will 

not 


to  he  the  JuJ^e  of  the  VVorlJ.  3  5- 

not  Tcreen  them  from  the  prefence  of  their  Judge,  nor 
conceal  their  crimes  from  his  accurate  obfervation. 
Fcr  he  compajfeth  our  paths,  and  is  acquainted  "jAth  all 
our  ways.  He  cannot  be  abufed  with  doubtful  evi- 
dence, deceived  by  any  artful  infmuations,  nor  im- 
poied  upon  by  any  flattering  appearances ;  but  has  all 
that  knowledge  that  is  necelTary  to  form  an  impartial 
Judgment. 

2.  His  Juftice  is  ififlexihle. Earthly  Judges  are 

fubjedl  to  corruption,  and  a  righteous  caufe  oftentimes 
miicarries,  through  the  partiality  and  prejudice  of 
thofe  who  are  plac'd  in  the  feat  of  Judgment.  They 
are  fometimes  influenc'd  by  favour  and  afredion,  to 
extenuate  the  crimes  of  their  friends,  or  perfwaded  by 
bribes  to  pronounce  an  unrighteous  fentence.  A 
(lavifh  coward ife  caufes  them  to  connive  at  the  faults 
of  men  of  power  and  ellate,  and  a  fervile  fear  re- 
ftrains  them  from  an  impartial  execution  of  public 
Juftice.  Therefore  Solmtmi  mentions  it  as  one  of  the 
great  evils  he  had  feen  under  the  Sun,  That  he  beheld 
■the  place  of  judgtnent,  and  behold  wickednefs  was  ihere^, 
and  the  place  of  righteovfnefs,  that  iniquity  was  there,, 
Eccl.  3.  16.  But  thofe  mean  and  carnal  confidera- 
tions  will  have  no  influence  upon  the  unerring  judg- 
ment of  Chrift.  The  fupreme  Governour  of  the 
world  is  infinitely  above  all  fufpicion  of  corruption  or 
prejudice,  and  he  will  weild  the  fword  of  juflice  with 
a  fleady  and  impartial  hand  j  he  loveth  righteoufnefs 
and  hateth  iniquity,  and  will  make  a  fuitabic  dillin<5li- 
on  between  his  faithful  obedient  fervants,  and  his 
perverfe  and  implacable  enemies :  the  perfection  of 
his  nature  fecures  him  from  the  leaft  imputation  of 
injuftice,  and  his  infinite  kindnefs  and  compafTion 
afTures  us,  that  he  will  confider  our  frame,  and  put 
the  moft  favourable  conftru6tion  upon  our  adions ;  he 
cannot  ht  brib'd  by  tiches,  nor  aw'd  by  greatnefs  and 
power;  for  he  is  the  great  and  only  potentate  of  hea'-jen 
Andtar^h,,  ths  King  ef  Kings  md.tfje  Ijord  of  Lordsy 

F  from 


36  Jefu$  Chrifl  appointed 

from  whom  the  Princes  of  this  world  derive  their 
Power^  and  to  whom  they  are  accountable  for  their 
condud:.  With  him  therefore  there  is  no  refpe^  of 
ferfons^  but  the  meaneft  flave  Ihall  have  as  fair  a  trial 
as  the  proudeft  monarch  ;  Princes  fhall  be  diverted  of 
their  imperial  diadems,  and  (land  upon  a  level  with 
their  inferior  fubje6ls.  Every  one  fhall  receive  ac- 
cording to  the  things  done  in  the  body,  whether  good  or 
evil.  He  will  pafs  an  unalterable  doom,  not  only 
upon  his  open  and  avowed  enemies,  but  alfo  upon  his 
pretended  friends  and  followers.  Secret  hypocrites 
Ihall  be  unmafk'd  to  the  view  of  the  world,  and  be 
expofed  in  all  their  guilt  and  deformity  ,  tho'  they 
call  Chrift  Lord,  and  pretend  that  they  are  of  the 
number  of  his  diiciples,  yet  they  will  be  rejected  and 
condemned  by  their  righteous  Judge :  with  terror  in 
his  looks  and  thunder  in  his  voice,  he  will  fay  unto 
theiUy  Depart  from  rne^  for  I  know  you  7Jot,  ye  that 
work  iniquity.  Matth.  7.  23.  Thus  he  will  judge 
the  world  in  righteoufnefs,  and  the  people  with  equity; 
and  therefore  is  admirably  fitted  for  the  great  work 
afTign'd  him  :  efpecially  if  we  confider, 

3.    His  pozver  is  almighty^  and  none  can  refifl  the 

execution  of  his  will.'- How  often  do  we  find 

earthly  criminals  plac'd  above  the  reach  of  any  human 
judicature,  and  defended  by  wealth  and  intereft  from 
the  punifhment  of  their  crimes }  But  the  great  Judge 
of  the  world  is  clothed  with  omnipotence,  and  able  to 
execute  his  vengeance  upon  the  greateft  offenders : 
for  he  hath  all  power  in  heaven  and  earth  committed 
unto  hifny  Matth.  28.  18.  When  he  tabernacled  in 
flefh,  and  was  clothed  with  the  infirmities  of  mankind, 
univerfal  nature  own'd  his  dominion,  and  even  Devils 
were  fubjedl  to  his  authority  •,  the  dead  were  raifed 
by  the  word  of  his  power,  and  the  tempefluous  ele- 
ments fubmitted  to  his  rebuke:  and  the  power  of 
Chrift  will  be  ftill  more  illuftrioufly  difplay'd,  when 
all  that  are  ia  jh^ir  graves  ihall  hear  his  voice,  and  at 

his 


to  le  the  Judge  of  the  World.  3  7 

his  command  lliall  ftart  out  of  their  dufty  beds  ;  when 
the  righteous  fhall  appear  in  the  fhining  robes  of  im- 
mortal glory,  but  thofe  that  defpis'd  him  upon  earth, 
be  condemned  at  his  awful  barr,  and  doom'd  to  un- 
alterable mifery.  In  vain  will  Sinners  fly  from  his 
almighty  arm,  and  endeavour  to  efcape  his  avenging 
wrath:  Who  can  contend  with  offended  omnipotence? or 
fubfift  under  the  terrors  of  his  indignation  ?  The  Anger 
of  the  moil  enraged  Tyrant  can  only  affe<5b  the  body, 
and  is  confin'd  within  the  narrow  limits  of  this  Life  j 
but  the  wrath  of  our  almighty  Judge  extends  to  the 
whole  man,  accompanies  the  finner  beyond  the  grave, 
and  endures  through  eternal  Ages.  And  as  he  has 
power  to  punifh  the  wicked  according  to  their  deferts, 
fb  he  is  able  to  reward  the  righteous  according  to 
their  works :  He  has  manfions  of  glory  prepar'd  for 
their  everlafting  reception,  and  will  beftow  upon  them 
an  happinefsj  vaft  as  their  capacities,  and  immortal  as 

their  fouls. Thus   you  fee   how  excellently    the 

Lord  Jefus  Chrift  is  qualified  to  be  the  final  Judge  of 
the  world :  His  knowledge  is  infinite,  and  extends  to 
the  fecret  adlions  of  men  ;  his  power  is  almighty,  and 
none  can  refill  the  execution  of  his  will  •,  his  Juftice 
is  inflexible,  and  will  be  feen  in  impartially  difpenfing 
Rewards  and  Puniflimcnts,     I  proceed. 

Thirdly,  Tb  Enquire  into  the  Reafons  of  this  Divine 
Appointments  why  this  important  Office  is  devolved 
upon  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift.     And, 

I .  It  is  in  compajfion  to  the  weaknefs  and  frailty  of 
7nankind. —  With  God  is  terrible  Majefty,  He  dwells 
in  unfufferable  Glory,  and  the  fpotlefs  Spirits  above 
vail  their  faces  before  his  dazling  Throne-,  fuch  is 
his  unfpotted  purity,  that  the  heavens  are  ?wt  clean  iit 
his  fight,  and  he  chargeth  his  angels  with  folly  :  The 
mountains  tremble  at  his  prefence,  and  the  pillars  of  hea- 
ven are  aftonijh^d  at  his  reproof.  How  then  could  the 
children  of  men  fupport  the  majefty  of  his  appearance^, 

F  2  IhouW 


38  Jefiis  Chrtfl  appdinted 

Hiould  he  defcend  in  the  naked  terrors  of  the  Deity, 
the  uavailed  Glories  of  the  Divine  Nature!  God  hath 
therefore  compafTionately  ordain*d,  that  the  laft  Judg- 
ment iliall  be  adminftred  by  one  in  our  nature,  who 
is  hone  of  our  hone,  and  jlejh  of  our  fleJJo,  made  in  all 
things  like  unto  us,  only  without  fin.  And  what  can  be 
niore  defireable,  than  to  appear  before  him  whofe  de- 
light from  eternity  has  heen  with  the  fons  of  men,  and 
who  llied  his  invaluable  blood  to  redeem  us  from  eter- 
nal deftrudlion ;  who  is  not  only  the  Judge  of  the 
world,  but  the  Saviour  of  men ;  who  is  acquainted 
with  the  weaknefs  of  human  nature,  and  the  tempta- 
tions to  which  we  are  expofed ;  who  will  make  the 
nioft  favourable  allowances  for  the  frailties  of  his  Peo- 
ple !  This  may  convince  us  with  what  kindnefs,  con- 
deicention  and  equity,  this  great  tranfadlion  will  be 
managed,  and  afTures  us  that  he  v/ill  condemn  only 
thofe,  vv^ho  have  obdinately  defpis*d  his  Goodnefs,  and 
defeated  the  endearing  methods  of  his  Grace. 

2.  The  Son  of  Man  is  appointed  to  be  the  Judge 
of  the  world,  as  a  fu  it  able  reward  for  his  obedience  and 
fufferings.  This  Reafon  is  exprefsly  given  by  St. 
Faid,  Phil.  2.  6,  7,  8,9,  10,  11.  Who  was  in  the 
form  of  God,  and  thought  it  not  robbery  to  be  equal  with 
God  \  hut  made  himfelf  oj  no  reputation,  and  took  upon 
him  the  form  of  a  fervant,  and  was  made  in  the  likenefs 
of  men  \  and  being  found  in  ftfkion  as  a  man,  he  hum- 
bled Irf^felf  and  became  obedient  unto  death,  even  the 
death  of  the  Crofs :  wherefore  God  hath  highly  exalted 
him,  and  given  him  a  name,  which  is  above  every  name^ 
that  at  the  name  of  Jefus  every  knee  floould  how,  and 
every  tongue  Jhoidd  cbnfefs,  thai  Jefus  Chrifl  is  Lord^ 
h  the  Glory  of  God  the  Father,  It  v/as  an  amazing 
ftoop,  ior  the  Son  of  God  to  be  made  in  the  Likenefs 
of  finful  Flclli,  to  defcend  from  a  throne  to  a  manger, 
f-om  the  government  of  the  v/orld  to  the  ftate  of  a 
fervant,  and  to  fubmit  to  fuch  humbling  circumftances 
of  pov:;rLy  a  id  difgracc,  and  at  lafl  to  fuffer  the  Death  ot 

the 


to  he  the  JuJgf  of  the  WorU.  3  9 

the  Crofs,  that  he  might  advance  the  Glory  of  God,  and 

procure  the  Salvation  and  Happinefsofman. And 

what  can  be  more  reafonable,  than  that  he  Ihould  once 
more  appear,  to  difplay  his  glory  as  the  only  begotten 
of  the  Father^  and  convirxe  the  world  how  great  and 
illuftrious  a  perfon  he  is,  God  manifejled  in  the  Flejh  ? 
What  more  iuitable  than  that  he  who  was  rcjedbed  and 
delpifed  of  men,  Ihould  have  power  to  fummon  at  his 
awful  barr  all  thofe  that  infulted  and  abufed  him,  and 
punifii  them  for  the  indignities  they  put  upon  him  ? 

At  his  firft  coming,  his  dignity  was  vailed  by  the 
meannefs  of  his  condition,  and  he  appear'd  without 
form  or  comlinefs :  But  is  it  juft,  that  the  Sun  of  righ- 
teoufnefs  fhould   always   be    cover'd    with  a  cloud? 
Surely  at  his  fecond  advent,  every  Reproach  of  Chrift 
fliall  be  wiped  away,   and   he   will  fhine  in  all  the 
glories  of  an  incarnate  God.     He  was  falfly  accufed 
by   his  malicious  adverfaries,  and  unjuftly  arraign'd 
and  condemned  by  the  powers  of  the  world  :    But  the 
fcene  will  be  aftonifhingly  changed,  when  the  Kings 
and  Judges  of  the  Earth  fhall  ftand  quivering  before 
his  tribunal,  and  receive  an  irreverfible  fentence  from 
his  mouth.     Then  every  eye  fhall  fee  him,  not  fur- 
rounded  with  a  croud  of  infulting  fcoffers,  but  attend- 
ed with  an  innumerable  hoft  of  adoring  Angels ;  not 
engag'd  in  a  bloody  conteft  widi  the  powers  of  dark- 
nels,  but  with  all  his  enemies  fubdued  under  his  feet ; 
not  hanging  upon  a  difgraceful  Crofs,  but  feated  upon 
a  triumphant  Throne,  and  encircled  with  a  fhlning 
train  of  heavenly  courtiers.     The  thorns  that  pierced 
his  facred  head,    will  be   chang'd   into   a    fparkling 
crown   of  glory ;    the  fpear  that  wounded  his  fide, 
into  a  fceptre  of  authority  and  government.     Judm 
that  betray'd  him,  Pilate  that  condemn'd  him,  and  all 
thofe  who  \x\  all  ages  of  the  world  have  defpifed  and 
rejected  hini,  fhall  be  confounded  at  his  preience,  and 
call  to  the  mountains  to  cover  theniy  and  the  rocks  to  hide 
them  from  hi§  avenging  juftice. 

3.  This 


40  Jefus  Chrijl  appointed 

3.  This  appointment  is  defign*d  to  increafe  the 
vifthle  pmp  and  fplendotir  of  the  future  judgment.  This 
great  affair  is  to  be  tranfaded  in  a  public  and  vifible 
manner,  in  the  view  of  the  whole  world,  for  the  dif- 
play  of  the  divine  glory,  and  the  manifeftation  of  his 
perfections,  in  the  condemnation  of  a  guilty  world, 
and  the  final  reward  of  his  People :  God  hath  there- 
fore wifely  determined,  that  the  laft  judgment  Ihall 
be  executed  by  a  vifible  perfon,  in  the  fight  and  hear- 
ing of  men.  God  the  Father  is  invifible  :  and  there- 
fore judgeth  no  man^  hut  hath  committed  all  judgment 
to  the  Son,  hecaufe  he  is  the  Son  of  man  •,  that  every 
eye  may  fee  him,  when  he  appears  on  the  Throne  of 
Judgment,  and  every  ear  may  hear  that  righteous 
Sentence  he  will  pronounce. —  And  how  will  it  in- 
creafe the  glory  of  that  day,  to  fee  the  Son  of  Man 
defcending  in  the  clouds  of  heaven,  attended  by  the 
innumerable  company  of  Angels,  the  noble  army  of 
martyrs,  and  the  general  affembly  of  the  Church  of 
the  firft  born  ?  How  vaft  will  be  the  majefty  and 
fplendor  of  his  appearance,  when  he  Jhall  come  in  his 
own  glory  ajid  the  glory  of  his  Father,  and  fhall  fit 
upon  a  radiant  Throne  high  above  all,  encircled  with 
the  heavenly  hofts,  fhouting  forth  perpetual  Halle- 
lujahs! When  all  the  apoftate  Angels,  and  the 
univerfil  progeny  of  Adain,  fhall  fland  before  his 
prefcnce,  and  v/ait  to  receive  their  unalterable  doom ! 
With  what  aflonifhment  fliall  we  behold  the  Heavens 
pafs  away  as  a  fcroll,  the  elements  melt  with  fervent 
heat,  and  the  beautiful  fibrick  of  the  world  confum'd 
by  devouring  flames  ?  Could  we  but  paint  the  glories 
of  that  day  in  their  awful  colours,  and  reprelent  to 
our  minds  the  pomp  and  folemnity,  in  which  our 
Judge  will  defcend,  it  would  difgrace  all  the  fplendid 
vanities  of  the  world,  and  fhew  us  how  unworthy 
they  are  cf  our  regard  and  attention  ;  it  would  infpire 
us  with  the  higheft  reverence  for  the  authority  of  him 
who  is  now  our  rightful  Sovereign,  and  will  hereafter 
.  be 


to  he  the  Jtdt/ge  of  the  World.  ^\ 

be  our  final  Judge ;  and  would  influence  us  to  endea- 
vour an  exadl  and  univerfal  obedience  to  his  Laws. 
Which  brings  me  to  the  Improvement  of  my 
Subjedt,  and 

I .  i'his  evidences  the  Divinity  of  Chrift^  the  great 
Judge  of  the  world.  To  judge  the  world,  is  the  pre- 
rogative of  the  fupreme  God,  a  Right  infeperable 
from  the  Crown  of  Heaven.  Who  can  challenge 
fuch  a  fovcreign  authority,  but  he  that  made  the  world 
at  firft  by  his  power,  and  preferves  it  by  his  gracious 
providence  ?  To  whom  (hall  we  give  an  account  of 
our  behaviour,  but  to  him  who  has  given  us  thefe  rea- 
fonable  natures,  and  made  us  moral  and  accountable 
creatures  ?  Juftly  then  does  the  Prophet  fay,  ^he  Lord 
is  our  Judge^  the  Lord  is  our  Lawgiver,  the  Lord  is 

Gur  King,  Ifa.  33.  22. From  him  is  all  inferior 

authority  derived ;  by  him  Kings  rule,  and  Princes  de- 
cree juftice. And  as  He  is  the  fupreme  Judge  of 

the  world,  fo  no  creature  is  capable  to  difcharge  this 
important  office  ;  for  it  requires  infinite  wifdom  to 
know  the  nature  and  circumftances  of  our  actions,  and 
almighty  power  to  punifli  rebellious  Sinners. —  What 
but  the  voice  of  God  can  awaken  the  dead,  bring  them 
out  of  their  filent  graves,  and  fummon  the  whole 
world  before  his  tremendous  Judgment-feat  ? —  Who 
but  a  divine  Perfon  can  fearch  the  hearts  of  men,  and 
unfold  the  fecret  fprings  of  their  actions,  from  whence 
their  malignity  or  goodnefs  does  principally  arife  .? — 
Since  then  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrijl  is  ordain'd  to  this 
glorious  work,  we  may  juftly  conclude,  that  he  mull 
be  the  great  God,  as  well  as  the  Saviour  of  the 
world. 

2.  This  takes  away  the  fcandal  of  the  Crofs,  and 
fhews  that  we  have  no  Reafon  to  take  offence  at  the 
meannefs  and  fufferings  ofChrift.  Among  all  the  pre- 
judices that  have  been  rais'd  againft  the  Gofpel,  none 
has  had  a  more  fatal  influence  upon  the  bulk  of  man- 
kind, than  the  mean  and  defpicable  appearance  of  the 

great 


4%  Jefus  Chrijl  appointed 

gfeat  Author  of  our  holy  Religion^  and  the  bitter  and 
ignominious  fufferings  that  he  underwent.  A  crucified 
Chrift  was  to  the  Jews  a  ftutnhling  blocks  and  to  the 
Greeks  foolijhnefs.  They  thought  it  the  higheft  abfur- 
dity,  that  the  Son  of  God  fhould  be  delivered  into 
the  hands  of  men,  and  expire  upon  a  fhamefui  Crofs. — > 
But  the  firm  belief  of  this  truth,  that  Chrift  is  ap- 
pointed to  be  the  Judge  of  the  quick  and  the  dead, 
takes  away  the  reproach  of  the  Crofs,  and  removes  the 
darknefs  and    contempt    that  attended  his   fuffering 

Hate. For  this  informs  us,  that  his  humility  and 

iuiferings  made  way  for  his  advancem.ent  and  tri- 
umph, and  that  he  who  was  fo  ungratefully  abufed, 
and  fo  unjuftly  condemn'd  by  the  Princes  of  the  earth, 
is  now  exalted  to  the  Goverrttnent  of  the  world,  and 
will  fhordy  appear  in  dignity  and  power,  to  the  Joy 
of  his  friends,  and  the  terror  and  confufion  of  his  ad- 

verfaries. Let  then  the  Infidels  of  the  Age  defpife 

his  perfon,  and  deride  his  fufferings-,  we  are  not 
afham'd  :o  own,  that  we  are  the  Difciples  of  a  cruci- 
fied Saviour.  God  forbid^  that  we  Jhould  not  glo?y  in 
the  Crofs  of  Chrifi  !  For  our  Redeemer  is  great,  and 
greatly  to  be  praifed :  CJod  hath  rais*d  him  up  from 
the  dead,  and  given  him  a  name  above  every  name. 
We  now  by  fliith  behold  him  fcated  at  the  right  hand 
of  power,  and  encompafs'd  with  the  triumphant  accla- 
mations of  Heaven ;  but  he  will  fhortly  rend  the 
Heavens  that  now  conceal  his  Glory,  and  appear  in 
'flami?{^  f:re  to  take  vengeajtce  on  thofe  that  know  not 
God  {irid  obey  not  the  Gofpel  of  Chrift  ;  then  fhall  his 
f nemits  bov/  before  him,  and  lick  the  duft  of  his 
feet ;  and  the  dignity  of  his  charader  and  office  Ihall 
be  mar^ifeil  to  the  whole  world  of  Angels  and  men. 

3.  j^cncc  the  deftru^ion  of  Gofpel- impenitent s  will 
he  i'nevitahle  an',  intolerable.  Men  are  apt  to  Ihelter 
themfelves  from  the  terrors  of  the  Law,  by  the  graci- 
ous and  merciful  promifes  of  the  Gofpel :  They  ima- 
^ine^  tho'  God  is  a  confuming  firt^  mdwrath^frvm 

heaven 


to  h  the  JuJge  of  the  WorlJ,  45 

heaven  is  declared  agatnft  all  taigodlinefs  a??d  tinrighteouf' 
nefs  ofmen^  yet  that  the  merits  of  Chrift  will  fcrecn  them 
from  the  flames  of  hell,  and  fecure  them  a  title  to  im- 
mortal glory.  But  thefe  are  wild  miftakes,  and  con- 
tradidt  the  whole  defign  of  the  Gofpel.  The  blelled 
Jefus  indeed  is  a  merciful  and  companionate  Savi- 
our, but  yet  he  has  denounced  the  fevereft  dam- 
nation againft  incorrigible  Tinners ;  his  merits  will 
be  imputed  only  to  thofe  that  accept  of  his  offers, 
and  fubmit  to  his  reafonable  demands  \  he  will 
be  the  author  of  eternal  Salvation  .only  to  thofe 
that  obey  him.  Such  as  bear  the  name  and  character 
of  Chriftians,  and  yet  by  their  wicked  lives  confute 
their  profefTion,  and  openly  declare  that  they  will  not 
have  this  man  to  reign  over  them^  will  be  fo  far  from 
receiving  any  advantage  by  the  name  of  Chrlfl,  that 
it  will  be  an  aggravation  of  their  guilt,  and  an  increafe 
of  their  future  condemnation.  The  hlood  of  the  cove- 
nant which  they  have  trampled  under  foot,  will  cry 
aloud  for  vengeance ;  and  the  condefcending  mercies 
of  heaven  v/hich  they  have  prophan'd  and  defpis'd, 
will  be  turn'd  into  refentment  and  fury.  They  rejed: 
the  only  remedy  which  infinite  grace  hath  provided 
for  their  recovery  *,  and  therefore  will  fall  unpitied 
facrifices  to  his  avenging  juflice.  He  that  now  offers 
to  be  their  compafTionate  Saviour,  will  then  appear 
their  inexorable  Judge.  The  meek  and  innocent 
Lamb  of  God  will  then  be  arm*d  with  the  teirors  of 
a  devouring  Lion  :  and  thofe  that  would  not  bow  to 
the  fceptre  of  his  Grace,  fhall  be  broke  to  pieces  with 
the  rod  of  his  Anger.  Their  doom  will  be  pro- 
nounc'd  by  him  who  was  once  the  meffenger  of  divine 
Grace,  and  made  them  the  moft  friendly  offers  of 
mercy.  This  will  doubtlefs  give  the  bitterefc  accent 
to  their  mifery,  and  fill  them  with -the  utmoil  coniler- 
nation  and  horror.  How  highly  therefore  does  it 
becom.e  us  now  to  fecure  an  Interefl  in  his  Favour, 
that  fo  he  who  will  be  our  Judge,  may  alfo  be  our 

G  '         Friend! 


44  7^/^  Chrijl  dppQinted 

Friend !  How  rcafonable  is  that  advice  of  the  Pfahniil, 
Pfal.  2.  12.  Kifs  the  Son^  left  he  he  angry y  and  ye 
ferijh  in  the  way^  when  his  wrath  is  kindled  but  a  little^ 
hlejfed  are  they  that  put  their  truft  in  him.  Which 
brings  me  to  fay, 

4.  Hence  we  fee  the  certainty  of  the  believer's  com- 

pleat  and  eternal  Salvation. When  we  confider  the 

unfpotted  holinefs  of  our  Judge,   before   whom  the 
Angels  {land  chargeable  with  folly,  and  the  heavens 
with  impurity ;  when  we  refledt  upon  the  corruption 
of  our  natures,  and  the  innumerable  imperfediions  that 
attend  us ;  the  befl  of  men  may  tremble  at  the  appre- 
henfion  of  a   future  Judgment,  and  fland  amaz'd  at 
the  thought  of  having  their  eternal  ftate  determin'd 
by  fo  righteous  and  impartial  a  Judge :    For  if  he 
ihould  be  ftrid  to  mark  iniquity,  who  could  (land  be- 
fore him !  Verily  every  mouth  mud  be  ftop'd,  every 
tongue  muft  confefs  their  guilt,  and  own  themfelves 
worthy  of  eternal  damnation. —  But,  bleffed  be  God, 
the  Gofpel  affords  the  true  believer  a  folid  foundation 
of  hope,  under  all  thefe  affrighting  confiderations ; 
thofe  that  have  by  faith  fecur'd  an  intereft  in  Chrift, 
and  made  it  the  fincere  endeavour  of  their  lives  to 
approve  themfelves  to  his  all-feeing  eye,  ihall  efcape 
that  dreadful  Sentence  that  will  be  pronounc*d  upon 
an  impenitent  world.     For  he  whom  they  accepted  as 
their  Saviour,  is  appointed  to  be  their  Judge ;  they 
have  refign'd  themfelves  to  his  almighty  and  compaf- 
fionate  hands,  and  he  has  engag'd  to  be  their  com- 
pleat  and  eternal  deliverer.     He  will  therefore  fave 
them  from  the  dark  horrors  of  the  grave,  and  the 
amazing  terrors  of  the  laft  day,  and  put  them  in  pof- 
feffion  of  that  Kingdom  he  has  prepar'd  for  them.  He 
has  bought   them  out  of  the  hands  of  Juftice  by  his 
atoning  blood,  and  purchas'd  for  them  a  title  to  the 
manfions  of  Glory  by  his  invaluable  merits.     Surely 
then  he  will  not  fuffer  the  ends  of  his  death  to  be  de- 
feated, nor  the  facrcd  purchafe  of  his  blood  to  mifcarrv. 
-  -. ■■  .  We 


to  le  the  JuJge  of  the  WorlJ.  45* 

We  may  be  afTur'd  he  has  not  forgot  the  diflrefling 
forrows  of  his  hfe,  nor  the  dreadful  agonies  of  his 

Crofs. That  Love  that  nailed  him  to  the  curfed 

tree,  and  brought  him  down  to  the  dull  of  death,  for 
the  redemption  of  his  People;  will  excite  him  to  take 
care  of  their  welfare,  and  finifh  the  work  he  has 
begun. 

Let  Infidels  tremble  at  the  approach  of  their  Judge, 
who  have  out-fin'd  his  infinite  mercy,  and  denied 
their  God  and  Saviour  :  Let  fearfulnefs  feize  the  hypo- 
crite^ and  horror  furprize  the  finners  in  Zion^  who  are 
enemies  to  Chrift,  under  the  difguife  of  a  vifible  pro- 

feflion. But  let  the  Saints  in  Chrift  Jefus  lift  up 

their  heads  with  Joy,  and  long  for  the  coming  of  their 
Lord.  When  he  fays  by  the  Spirit  to  his  Churches, 
Behold  I  come  quickly^  let  our  Souls  eccho  back  with 
the  loudeft  tranfports  of  Joy,  Even  fo  come^  Lord 
Jefus! 

To  Him,  &V, 

AMEN. 


Preach'd   Dec*  4, 
J737- 


SER- 


(40 


S  E  R  M  O  N  IV. 

The  Manner   and  Circuraftances  of 
Chnft's  Appearance  at  the  laft  Day. 


MATTH.  XVL  -lj. 

Tor  the  Son  cf  Man  Jhall  come  in  the  Glory  of  hh 
Father^  with  his  Angels  ;  and  then  he  Jhall  re- 
ward every  Han  according  to  his  Works. 

K  HE  difpenfation  of  the  Gofpel  is  admirably- 
calculated  to  reclaim  a  finful  world  from 
the  paths  of  error  and  delufion ;  and  to 
perfwade  the  children  of  men  to  confuk 
their  duty  and  happinefs  :  Its  doElrines  are  fublime  and 
excellent,  wordiy  of  their  heavenly  defcent,  and  come 
recommended  to  our  faith  by  the  brighteft  evidences 
of  a  divine  authority  :  Its  precepts  contain  the  noblefl: 
rules  for  our  moral  condu6l,  and  are  happily  defign*d 
to  exalt  and  purify  the  nature  of  man,  and  advance  the 
univerfal  prcfperity  of  the  world. 

And  fmce  we  are  at  prefent  in  a  corrupt  and  dege- 
nerate (late,  difinclin'd  to  our  duty,  and  indeed  filled 
v/i^h  ptej'jdices  againiV  it  -,  therefore  the  wife  Author 
of  oar  Beings  hath  feen  fit  to  enforce  his  laws  by  fuita- 
ble  fLin5fionSy  and  engage  us  to  obedience  by  the  moft 
powerful  and  perfwaiive  arguments.      Hence  in  the 

Gofpei 


The  Manner y  &c.  cf  Chnjfs  fecond  Coming.    47 

^Gofpel  there  every  where  appears  the  greateft  feveri- 
ty  to  diffwade  us  from  fin,  and  the  highefl  condefcen- 
tion  and  goodnefs  to  allure  us  to  holinefs. 
.  The  Eternal  Majefty  of  heaven  is  fometimes  re- 
vealed in  the  amazing  terrors  of  his  wrath^  as  a  con- 
fuming  fire  to  the  workers  of  iniquity  j  at  other  times 
he  appears  in  the  bright  difplays  of  his  77iercy^  as  a 
tender  and  indulgent  father  to  thole  that  ferve  and 
obey  him :  And  the  great  Saviour  of  Souls  is  repre- 
fented  as  one  who  dfd  a  facrifice  for  the  fins  of  the 
world,  and  compafTionately  invites  the  children  of  men 
to  come  to  him  that  they  may  have  life  -,  but  will 
Ihortly  appear  in  flaming  fire  to  take  vengeance  on  thofe 
that  know  not  God^  and  obey  not  the  Go/pel  of  Chriji. 

Thefe  different  reprefentations  arc  wonderfully 
fuited  to  influence  the  hopes  and  fears  of  men,  the  two 
great  ruling  pafTions  of  our  nature,  and  the  fecret 
fprings  of  our  a6lions  •,  and  have  an  happy  tendency 
to  deter  us  from  all  ungodlinefs  and  unrighteoufnefs, 
which  lead  to  deflrudlion  and  mifery,  and  to  engage 
us  to  a  ftedfaft  adherence  to  our  duty,  which  is  the 
way  to  immortality  and  glory.  Our  bleffed  Saviour 
having  therefore  urged  upon  his  difciples  the  necefTity 
of  denying  the7?ifelves^  taking  up  their  crofs,  and  follow^ 
ing  Him,  their  Lord  and  Mailer,  in  humility  and  fuf- 
fering,  enforces  all  with  this  awful  confideration,  Tha^ 
the  Son  of  man  Jhall  come  in  the  glory  of  his  Father^ 
with  his  Angels^  and  then  he  fljall  reward  every  man 
according  to  his  works.  In  fpeaking  to  which  words 
(by  divine  afTiftance)  1  fhall 

FIrft,  Confider  the  Manner  of  Chrifl's  fecond  Ap« 
pcarance. 

Secondly,  The  Work  that  he  will  then  perform, 

Firft,  I  am  to  confider  the  Manner  ofChrift's  fecond 

/l^pearance. When  he  firft  Icii:  the  manfions  of 

g^ory. 


4?  The  Manner  and  Circumflances 

glory,  and  defcended  into  this  lower  world,  he  can^e 
in  a  (late  of  humility  and  meannefs,  and  ftoop'd  to 
numberlefs  hardfhips  and  difficulties,  that  he  might 
anfwer  the  defign  of  his  manifeftation  in  the  flefh,  and 
accomplifh  the  great  work  of  redemption.  But  his 
fecond  advent  will  be  with  furprifing  majefty  and 
glory,  to  execute  vengeance  upon  the  ungodly,  and 
vindicate  the  caufe  of  his  defpifed  Gofpel. 

When  God  came  down  upon  mount  Sinai  to  pro- 
claim the  law  to  the  children  of  Ifrael^  the  glory  of 
the  Lord  appear'd  like  devouring  fire,  and  the  moun- 
tain was  covered  with  darknefs  and  fmoke.  So  ter- 
rible was  the  fight,  that  Mofes  the  friend  of  God  ex- 
ceedingly fear'd  and  quak'd  ;  the  whole  army  of  Ifrael 
were  ft  ruck  with  amazement,  and  cry'd  out  in  diftrefs, 
Let  not  God  fpeak  with  us^  left  we  die. —  If  fuch  fur- 
prifing terrors  attended  the  firft  promulgation  of  the 
law,  with  what  awful  folemnity  will  the  Lawgiver 
appear,  when  he  comes  to  avenge  the  quarrel  of  his 
covenant^  and  punilh  the  profane  contempt  of  his  au- 
thority ? 

The  Scriptures  reprefent  this  awful  event  in  the 
iiioft  lofty  and  magnificent  language.  Amazing  pro- 
digies will  ufher  in  this  illuftrious  day,  and  proclaim 
the  defcent  of  our  almighty  Judge  *,  continual  trage^ 
dies  will  be  a6ted  on  the  great  ftage  of  nature,  and 
this  lower  world  will  be  involved  in  univerfal  confu- 
fion  and  diforder ;  *  the  Sun  Jh all  he  turned  into  dark^ 
mfsy  and  the  Moon  into  blood  -,  the  Stars  of  heaven  fhall 
flart  from  their  exalted  orbs,  and  the  powers  of  the  hea^ 
vens  fijall  he  fJjaken-,  perpetual  thunders  fhall  roar 
irom  the  lower  regions  of  the  air,  the  earth  fhall  trem- 
hie  a?:d  quake,  and  the  foundations  of  the  hills  fhall  he 

removed.- Then  fhall  appear  the  fign  of  the  Son  of 

Man  in  the  heavens  f  and  give  the  world  a  convincing 
evidence  of  the  near  approach  of  the  great  and  ter- 
rible 


•^  '^Qd  i.  51.  Matih.  3^4.  2S>.  iyiJ/»  18.  7.      t  ^<2^^^^'  H'  5^« 


of  Chri/fs  fecond  Coming.  49 

rible  day  of  the  Lord.  At  which  amazing  fight,  the 
inhabitants  of  the  earth  lliall  mourn,  and  the  fmners 
in  Zion  Ihall  be  horribly  afraid. 

In  the  midft  of  their  perplexity  and  diftrefs,  the  Son 

of  Man  Jhall  defcend  in  the  clouds  of  heaven  with  piver 
and  great  glory.  He  will  appear  in  the  pomp  and 
folemnity  of  an  incarnate  God,  and  aflume  a  glo- 
ry and  magnificence  fuitable  to  the  dignity  of  his 
office. 

His  perfonal  glory  will  be  inexpreflibly  great,  his 
eyes  will  Iparkle  like  flames  of  fire,  his  countenance 
will  fhine  with  dazling  beams  of  majefly  and  beauty, 
and  his  whole  body  be  bright  and  luminous  beyond 
the  Sun  in  its  meridian  fplendor.  Thus  he  is  de- 
fcrib'd  in  the  Vifions  of  St.  John^  In  the  ??iidjl  of  the' 
feven  candlefticks  was  one  like  the  Son  of  Ma?;.,  his  head 
and  his  hair  were  white  as  wool,  as  white  as  fnow^  his 
eyes  were  as  aflame  of  fire  ^  and  his  countenance  was  as 
the  Sun  fhining  in  its  ftrength  *. 

He  will  alfo  come  in  the  glory  of  his  heavenly 
Father.,  and  be  clothed  with  the  authority  of  the  uni- 
verfal  Judge  of  the  world.  God  has  appointed  him 
King  upon  his  holy  Zion^  and  proclaim'd  an  unalterable 
decree,  that  to  him  every  knee  fhall  how  ;  not  in  fcorn 
and  derifion,  as  in  the  days  of  his  infirmity  and  fuller- 
ing, but  v/ith  the  deepefl  humility  and  reverence  j 
and  evoy  tongue  fhall  confefs  his  royal  dignity  and 
power,  not  with  an  infuking  feoff,  but  in  lubmiulvc 
poflures  of  adoration. 

But  to  increafe  the  glory  of  his  appearance,  he  will 
be  attended  with  a  fplendid  and  numerous  eqiiiiagt., 
becoming  the  dignity  of  hisperfon,  and  the  exalted 
character  he  fuftains.  The  innumerable  hoft  of  Angels 
lliall  leave  the  manfions  of  heaven,  and  attend  tlieir 
defcending  Lord,  to  obey  his  fovereign  orders,  and 
adorn  the  triumphs  of  his  juilice.     The  geacral  affj  n  - 

bly 


5'b  The  Manner  and  Circumftances 

bly  of  the  Saints^  whom  he  hath  redeem'd  by  his  in- 
valuable blood,  and  fandtified  by  his  all-conquering 
grace,  fhall  forfake  the  celeftial  paradife,  and  accom- 
pany the  great  God  our  Saviour,  in  his  illuftrious 
progrefs  through  the  fkies.  Thus  the  Patriarch  Eftocb 
prophefied  of  old  •,  *  Behold^  the  Lord  cometh  with  ten 
thoufands  of  his  Saints^  to  execute  judgment  on  the  un- 
godly. And  the  Prophet  Daniel  aiTures  us,  §  that  thou- 
/and  thoufands  fhall  minifler  unto  him^  and  ten  thou- 
fand  times  ten  thoufand  fhall  ft  and  before  him.  And  St. 
Paul  tells  us,  -f  that  he  fhall  he  revealed  fro7n  heaven 
with  his  mighty  Angels.  Thofe  fpotlefs  Spirits  fhall 
be  clothed  in  their  brightcft  robes  of  glory,  and  appear 
in  vifible  fplendor  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth. 
And  how  vaft  and  furprifmg  a  figure  will  they  make  ? 
How  awful  and  majeflic  will  be  the  appearance  of 
our  Judge,  when  he  fhall  affume  his  own  proper 
greatnefs,  and  be  attended  with  the  fhining  inhabi- 
tants of  heaven  ?  Who  may  abide  the  day  of  his  com- 
ing, or  be  able  to  (land  before  his  awful  tribunal  ? 
How  will  all  nations  fall  proflrate  at  his  footftool, 
and  tremble  at  his  prefence,  who  can  by  a  word  of 
his  mouth  fentence  them  to  the  depths  of  mifery,  or 
advance  them  to  the  height  of  glory  and  happinefs  ? 
Which  brings  me  to  the  other  thing  propofed; 

Secondly,  To  confider  the  Work  that  he  will  per- 
form. I'hen  fhall  he  reward  every  Man  according  i» 
his  works :  And  this  includes  three  things. 

1 .  All  mankind  fhall  be  fumjnon^d  before  him. 

2 .  They  fhall  be  called  to  a  flridl  account  for  their 
actions. 

3.  The  righteous  fhall  be  adjudg'd  to  unalterable 
gf^ory.^  but  the  wicked  condemn'd  to  eternal  mifery. 

I.  All  mankind  fhall  he  fummo-iH  hefore  him.  No 
fooner  fhall  the  Judge  defcend  to  this  lower  world, 

and 


*  J«<^r  14.  15.    S  ^^An^  1'  10.     1  ^  H;^/.  i-  7- 


of  Chrtffi  fecond  Comhg.  yt 

and  ereft  his  throne  in  the  Air,  but  they  that  are  in 
their  graves  (hall  be  awakned  out  of  the  (leep  of  death, 
and  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  world  be  cited  to  appear 
before  the  Judgment-feat  of  Chrift.  The  voice  of 
the  Archangel,  the  chief  of  the  heavenly  hoil,  fhall 
eccho  through  the  wide  creation,  and  penetrate  into 
the  fecret  caverns  of  the  earth  ;  at  which  mighty 
found  the  dead  fhall  flart  out  of  their  dufly  beds, 
and  all  the  defcendants  of  Adam  fhall  be  compelled 
to  obey  the  call ;  thofe  that  are  alive  fhall  be  imme- 
diately changed,  and  prepar'd  to  make  their  pcrfonai 
appearance  at  the  bar  of  their  Judge.  Thus  the  Scrip- 
tures afTure  us :  We  Jhall  all  jl and  before  the  judgment' 
feat  of  Chrift.  Every  one  of  us  fhall  give  an  account 
of  himfelf  unto  God.  The  univerfal  Father  of  men 
without  refpcot  of  perfons  judgeth  every  man  according 
to  his  vjork.  He  accepteth  not  the  perfons  of  prince Sy 
7ior  regardeth  the  rich  more  than  the  poor^  for  they  are 
all  the  work  of  his  hands  *. 

Civil  diftindlions  make  a  mighty  found  among 
men,  and  perfons  of  fuperior  wealth  and  power  are 
admired  and  applauded  like  fo  many  Deities,  by  their 
fervile  flatterers :  hence  they  are  apt  to  fwell  with 
pride,  upon  the  account  of  their  elevated  circumftan- 
ces,  and  vainly  hope  that  they  Ihall  be  treated  with 
deference  and  refped  at  the  future  judgment ;  they 
flatter  themfelves  that  God  will  not  be  ftriSi  to  mark 
iniquity  in  men  of  their  dignity  and  ftation,  but  that 
he  will  make  fome  favourable  allowances  for  the  ex- 
cefiTes  and  follies  which  are  fo  common  among  men 
of  figure  and  eft:ate  in  the  world. — —  But  alas !  thefe 
are  vain  imaginations:  the  fovereign  Ruler  of  the 
world  pays  no  regar-d  to  earthly  greatnefs,  neither  has 
he  any  value  for  thofe  diftindions,  which  are  made  by 
birth  and  eftate.  The  great  Potentates  of  the  earth, 
who  are  cry'd  up  as  gods  by  deluded  mortals,  are  in 

H  his 


I^ojn^  ^l^  lo»    jPit^  i.  I?^     Job  H-  ^3»  ^9* 


5^  The  Manner  and  Circumdances 

his  fight  but  contemptible  worms  of  the  duft.  la 
that  day  they  will  be  divefted  of  all  their  (lately  orna- 
ments, deprived  of  the  enfigns  of  their  greatnefs  and 
power,  and  (land  upon  a  level  with  the  meaneil  flave. 
Death,  the  univerfal  Conqueror,  pays  no  complements 
to  their  quality,  but  arrefts  them  without  ceremony  or 
refped ;  and  their  impartial  Judge  will  irrefiftibly 
fummon  them  to  his  tremendous  bar.  The  mighty 
Ccefars  and  Alexanders^  who  have  depopulated  the 
earth  by  their  deftruftive  fwords,  and  facrificed  nati- 
ons to  their  unbounded  lufts,  ihall  tremble  at  his  ap- 
pearance, and  curfe  their  ambition  and  madnefs.  Thus 
this  aftonifhing  fcene  is  reprefented  by  St.  John^  *And 
the  Kings  of  the  earthy  and  the  great  men^  and  the  rich 
men^  and  the  chief  captains^  and  the  mighty  men^  hid 
themfelves  in  the  dens  and  rocks  of  the  ?nountainSy  and 
faid  to  the  mountains  and  rocks.  Fall  on  us,  and  hide  us 
from  the  face  of  him  that  fitteth  upon  the  throne,  and 
from  the  wrath  of  the  Lamb  *,  jor  the  great  day  of  his 
wrath  is  come :  and  who  fJoall  he  able  to  ft  and? 

And  as  none  are  too  great  and  mighty  to  be  called 
to  an  account,  fo  none  are  too  mean  and  contemptible 
to  be  taken  notice  of.  They  that  have  made  no  figure 
among  men,  but  have  fpent  their  days  in  want  and 
obfcurity,  will  not  be  overlook'd  in  this  vail  aflembly, 
but  flridlly  examined,  whether  they  have  fubmitted 
to  the  wife  difpofals  of  providence,  and  improv'd  the 
talents  committed  to  their  trufV.  Thofe  that  are  in 
the  morning  of  their  Youth  and  in  the  llrcngth  and 
vigour  of  their  age,  fhall  be  brought  into  judgment 
for  their  unmindfulnefs  of  their  great  Creator,  and 
their  criminal  indulgence  of  fenfual  pleafures.  Igno- 
rant uninftru6led  heathens,  who  have  inhabited  the 
wild  and  defolate  corners  of  the  earth,  fhall  be  called 
to  an  account,  for  their  tranfgreflion  of  the  law  of 
nature,  and  their  abufe  of  the  divine  goodnefs.     The 

learned 


*  Rsvt  6t  ly,  169  17^ 


of  Chnjl's  fee  on  J  Comttig.  5*  3 

learned  and  civilized  nations,  who  have  been  favour*d 
with  the  light  of  the  Gofpel,  and  early  inftrudled  in 
the  will  of  heaven,  muil  anfwer  for  their  fuperior 
advantages,  and  their  negledt  of  the  means  of  grace 
and  falvation.  Such  as  will  not  now  approach  the 
throne  of  divine  mercy,  muft  then  appear  at  the  bar 
of  inflexible  Juftice.  Thus  all  mankind  of  every 
nation  and  language,  of  every  quality  and  condition, 
of  every  age  and  fex,  muft  be  judg'd  in  the  great  day. 
What  a  grand  and  folemn  fight  will  this  be !  To  be- 
hold all  the  fucceflive  generations  of  men  ftand  toge- 
ther in  their  refpedlive  orders,  and  wait  for  their  de- 
cifive  trial !     Which  leads  to  fay, 

2 .  In  that  day  men  Jloall  he  called  to  a  ftri5i  account 
for  all  their  aofions. —  So  the  royal  Preacher  informs 
us ;  *  God  will  bring  every  work  into  judgment,  with 
every  fecret  thing,  whether  it  he  good  or  whether  it  he 
evil.  All  the  aSions  of  men  are  recorded  in  the  book 
of  God's  remembrance,  and  fhall  be  difclofed  to  the 
public  view  of  the  world  in  the  great  day  of  the  reve- 
Jation  of  all  things. 

Unthinking  finners  are  apt  to  imagine  themfelves 
fecure,  if  they  can  conceal  their  crimes  from  the  Cog- 
nizance  of  men,  and  commit  their  fins  in  darknefs 
and  retirement :  but  alas !  the  ways  of  man  are  now 
before  the  eyes  of  the  Lord,  and  he  pondereth  all  his 
goings,  ^here  is  no  darknefs  or  fhadow  of  death  where 
the  workers  of  iniqidty  may  hide  themfelves  +.  No. 
fecret  impurity  can  efcape  the  knowledge  of  our 
Judge,  nor  any  artful  hypocrify  deceive  his  piercing 
eyes :  even  the  fecret  motions  and  inclinations  of  our 
hearts  are  expofed  to  his  cridcal  ^obfervation :  all 
proud  and  revengeful  thoughts,  all  uncharitable  and 
malicious  intentions,  all  the  covetous  and  unjuft  de- 
figns,  that  men  have  fecredy  harbour'd  in  their  breafts, 
ihall  then  be  unfolded  before  the  grand  confiftory  of 
H  Z  Angela 

*  EccU  iZt  14.  t  r^ov.  5.  ii.    Joh  34,  II. 


54  The  Manner  and  Ctrcumflances 

Angels  and  Men.  For  there  is  nothing  covered^  that 
Jhall  not  he  revealed^  nor  hid  that  Jhall  not  he  known* . 

Men  frequently  imagine,  that  their  tongues  are  their 
cwn^  that  their  words  vanifh  into  air,  and  fhall  not  be 
brought  to  any  future  account.  But  our  Saviour  tells  us, 
•f-  that  Men  Jhall  give  an  account  for  every  idle  word  that 
they  f peak.  You  therefore  delude  your  felves  to  your 
eternal  ruin,  if  you  think  that  your  vain  and  filthy 
communication,  your  profane  and  irreligious  difcourfe, 
your  horrid  oaths  and  imprecations,  your  impious  jefts 
upon  our  holy  Religion,  your  malicious  flanders  of 
good  men,  fhall  pafs  unobferved  in  that  day  ;  for  hy 
thy  words  thou  Jhalt  he  jiijlijied^  and  hy  thy  words  thou 
Jhalt  he  condemned.  When  our  Lord  fliall  come  to 
execute  judgment  upon  all,  he  will  convince  itiQ 
wicked  not  only  of  their  ungodly  deeds,  which  they 
have  impioufly  committed,  but  alfo  of  all  their  hard 
and  grievous  fpeeches  which  they  have  fpoken  againfi 
bim  \\ . 

But  finners  lliall  not  only  be  called  to  an  account 
for  their  tranfgrefTions  of  the  law  of  God,  but  alfo  for 
their  omijjicns  of  duty,  and  negleding  to  improve  the 
various  and  happy  advantages  they  have  enjoy'd: 
Their  Power  and  eftates,  their  health  of  body  and 
abilities  of  mind,  their  opportunities  and  capacities  of 
glorifying  God  and  promoting  the  welfare  of  man- 
kind ',    thefe  Things  flaall  then  be  produc'd  againft 

them,  and  be  a  heavy  article  in  their  indidlment. ■ 

Thus  wc  find  the  (lothful  fervant,  who  traded  not  with 
his  Lord\s  talent^  hit  buried  it  in  the  earthy  is  fentenced 
into  outer  darknefs^  where  there  is  perpetual  weeping 
and  gnajhing  of  teeih%. 

All  the  aggravations  of  men's  fins  fhall  then   be 
enumerated,  and  their  guilt  ihall  appear  in  its  crim- 
fon-colours.     If  the  G^;;/i/^- world  fhall  be  condemned 
for  refitting  the  glimmering  light  oi  nature^  and  re- 
belling 

^MvaaBaMBaiH*  -- n '■ — ——————— —^—    ^mm^mtm^ 

*  Luk.  «2.  2.    f  Matth.  11,  }6,  S7.    II  Judc^  is.    §  Maftf}, 

25.    3^- 


of  Chrijfs  feeond  Coming*  ^y 

belling  againfl  the  law  of  God  fo  obfcurely  written 
on  their  hearts ;  how  inexcufable  will  be  their  o-uilt, 
how  vafl  their  condemnation,  who  have  fhut  their 
eyes  againfl  the  marvellous  light  of  the  GofpeU  and 
ftifled  the  powerful  convidions  of  the  Sprit  of 
Grace  ! 

Finally,  while  the  wicked  fhall  be  expofed  in  all 
their  guilt  and  deformity,  and  be  publickly  charged 
with  their  numberlefs  tranfgreffions  •,  God  will  not  be 
regardlefs  of  the  Saints^  nor  forget  their  labour  of  love. 
Their  heavenly  Father  knows  their  works,  and  with 
pleafure  obferves  their  zeal  and  fidelity  in  his  fervice : 
Their  fecret  prayers  and  tears,  their  difFufive  charity 
and  beneficence,  are  fet  down  in  the  facred  records 
of  Tieaven,  and  will  be  mentioned  to  their  immortal 
honour  in  the  day  of  the  Lord  •,  their  patient  fufi'er- 
ings  in  the  ways  of  their  duty  will  be  carefully  re- 
membred,  and  their  fmalleft  fervices  to  the  Kingdom 
of  Chrift  will  meet  with  a  vaft  and  unfpeakable  re- 
ward.  Thus  I  am  come  to  the  lail  thing  to  be 

confidered. 

3.    ne  Righteous  fhall  he   adjudged  to   unalterable 
glory\  hut  the  Wicked  condemned  to  eternal  mifery. 

Thofe  who  have  accepted  the  compafTionate  offers 
of  a  Saviour,  and  complied  with  the  gracious  demands 
of  the  Gofpel ;  who  have  devoted  themfelves  to  God 
without  exception  or  referve,  and  made  it  the  great 
lludy  of  their  lives  to  approve  themfelves  to  their  all- 
feeing  Judge  ;  who  have  lamented  their  innumerable 
defeats  and  infirmities,  and  fincerely  endeavour'd  to 
mortify  their  moft  beloved  lufts  ;  who  have  improv'd 
the  means  of  Grace  with  fidelity  and  diligence,  and 
abounded  in  adls  of  charity  and  benevolence  •,  thefe 
Ihall  be  openly  acknowledged  by  Chrift  in  that   day, 
and  rank'd  among  the  number  of  his   fervanrs   and 
followers.     Their  Mafter  and  Judge,  whofe  authority 
they  have  reverenced,  whofe  laws  they  have  obferv'd, 
pnd  in  whofe  merits  they  have  confided  ;  the  Lord 

Jcius 


56  The  Manner  and  Circumflances 

Jefus  Chrift,  with  indulgent  fmiles  in  his  countenance, 
and  the  tendereft  accents  in  his  voice,  will  pronounce 
that  happy  fentence  upon  them ;  Coine^  ye  hleffed  of 
my  Father^  hihsrit  the  Kingdom^  prepared  for  you  frojti 
the  foundation  of  the  world  *. 

But  the  Wicked,  who  have  defpis'd  his  facred  au- 
thority, trannpled  under  foot  his  invaluable  blood,  and 
obftinately  perfifted  in  fin,  in  contennpt  of  all  the  con- 
defcending  offers  of  his  grace,  fhall  receive  that  awful 
doom  from  the  mouth  of  their  flighted  and  injur'd 
Saviour,  Depart  from  me^  ye  curfed^  into  everlajling 
fre^  -prepared  for  the  devil  and  bis  angels  -f. 

And  according  to  thefe  different  fentences  will  the 
final  ft  ate  of  the  children  of  men  be  unchangeably 
determined.  The  Wicked  fhall  be  immediately  feiz'd 
upon  by  devils,  and  convey'd  to  the  dark  abodes  of 
horror  and  delpair  -,  the  heavens  from  above  fhall 
(bower  down  torrents  of  flaming  fire  upon  their  guilty 
heads,  and  hell  from  below  fhall  open  its  mouth  to 
rcct'ive  them,  where  they  fhall  be  tormented  day  and 
lijght,  without  any  poffibility  of  efcape,  or  hope  of 
(k^iverance.  While  the  Righteous  fhall  afcend  to  their 
erithroiied  Lord  and  Saviour,  and  with  crowns  upon 
ciicir  iieads,  and  palms  of  vidlory  in  their  hands, 
iv.ake  their  triumphant  entrance  into  the  new  Jeru- 
l'aie?n^  die  city  of  the  living  God  -,  a  place  of  unfpeak- 
itble  joy  and  refrefliment,  where  all  forrow  fhall  be 
banifli'd  from  their  breafls,  all  tears  fliall  be  wiped 
from  their  eyes,  their  hopes  fliall  be  fiidsfyM,  dieir 
defires  nccomplilli'd,  and  their  whole  man  filled  with 
thole  divine  and  tranfporting  pleafures,  that  flow  at 
tb.e  rio-ht  hand  of  God.  Then  fhall  they  JhtJie  like 
the  Sun  in  the  kingdom  of  their  Father^  and  be  im- 
moveably  fixM  in  the  firmament  of  immortal  glory. 
They  fliall  no  longer  complain,  that  they  fojourn  in 
Mclhec,  and  are  vex*d  with  the  filthy  converfation  of 

the 


Matih.  IS'  S4'  +  ^W<?  4^' 


of  Chrijfs  feconJ  Comlrtg,  5*7 

the  wicked :  But  fhall  be  aflbciated  with  the  glorious 
company  of  the  Apoftles,  the  goodly  fellowihip  of 
the  Prophets  and  Martyrs,  and  the  general  aflembly 
of  the  Church  throughout  the  world ;  together  with 
theie  they  fhall  encompafs  the  throne  of  God  with 
proftration  and  praife,  and  tune  their  voices  to  the 
facred  anthems  of  heaven,  faying.  To  him  that  hath 
loved  us^  and  ivajhed  us  frorn  our  fins  in  his  oivn  bloody 
and  hath  ?nade  us  Kings  and  Priejis  wito  God  and  his 
Father  *,  to  him  he  glory  and  dominion  for  ever.  Amen. 

I  pafs  now  to  the  ImpSlovement  of  my  Subjed. 

I .  What  we  have  heard  fliould  be  improv'd  as  a 
foiverful  reftraint  from  the  pra^ice  of  fecret  fins.  For 
what  can  be  an  higher  abfurdity,  than  for  men  to  en- 
courage themfelvcs  in  fm  when  they  have  the  advan- 
tage of  privacy  and  retirement,  and  to  imagine  that 
they  are  fafe  from  punifhment,  if  the  curtains  of  night, 
or  any  artful  difguifes  hide  their  wicked  adions  from 
the  view  and  obfervation  of  men  ?  Alas!  what  will 
it  avail  you  to  conceal  your  wickednefs  from  the  eyes 
of  men,  when  your  mod  fecret  adlions  are  vifible  to 
the  God  with  whom  you  have  to  do  ?  What  little 
advantage  will  you  receive  by  avoiding  worldly  fhame 
and  punifhment,  when  your  fecret  enormities  will 
fhortly  be  brought  upon  the  public  ftage,  and  dif- 
play'd  in  their  moft  odious  colours,  to  your  eternal 
confufion?  Tho'  now  you  cover  your  tranfgrefTions 
as  Adam^  and  hide  your  iniquities  in  your  bofom  ?. 
yet  there  is  nothing  fo  fecretly  committed,  but  it  fhaii 
then  be  brought  to  light,  and  expos'd  before  the  vait 
and  numerous  afTembly  of  Angels  ami  Men. 

The  firm  belief  of  this  awful  truth  would  break 
the  force  of  many  temptations,  and  be  an  happy  pre- 
fervation  from  defiling  fins  ;  it  would  make  us  reje(fl 
with  abhorrence  the  infinuating  charms  of  vice,  and 
fay  with  holy  Jofej^h  ;  How  can  I  do  this  great  ivick- 
fdnefs  and  fm  againjl  God!  •  2.  This 


58 


The  Mamer  anJ  Circumfidncei 


2,  This  fhews  us  the  vanity  of  hyper ify.  For  the 
eyes  of  our  Judge  are  as  flaming  fire,  and  penetrate 
into  the  hidden  corners  of  our  fouls.  In  the  day  of 
Judgment  every  mafic  fhall  be  pull'd  off,  every  flat- 
tering difguife  fhall  be  remov'd,  and  the  fecrets  of 
all  hearts  fliall  be  difclofed.  Why  then  will  you  put 
on  a  form  of  Godlinefs,  and  engage  in  external  ads  of 
devotion,  only  to  be  feen  of  men,  and  gain  the  empty 
applaufe  of  your  fellow  creatures  ;  when  your  eternal 
ftate  will  be  decided,  not  by  the  charitable  opinion  of 
ihort-fighted  mortals,  but  by  the  unerring  Sentence  of 
an  all-feeing  God !  Be  not  deceived  ;  Chrift  is  not  -to 
be  mocked.  He  fees  the  pride  and  hypocrify  of  the 
painted  pharifee,  under  the  moft  amiable  and  goodly 
appearance.  He  beholds  the  fordid  flattery  of  falfe 
and  noify  profeflbrs,  who  bow  the  knee  before  him 
with  feeming  humility  and  devotion,  while  their  affec- 
tions are  wedded  to  the  world,  and  their  lives  are 
ftain'd  with  abominable  impurities.  This  therefore 
fhould  excite  us  all  to  the  greatefl:  fmcerity  in  (%r 
profefllon,  to  be  faithful  to  our  folemn  vows  and  "^n- 
gagements,  that  we  may  be  found  the  difciples  of 
Chrift,  not  only  in  outward  appearance,  but  in  the 
inward  temper  and  difpofition  of  our  minds :  fo  we 
fliall  have  this  for  our  rejoicing,  even  the  teftimony  of 
our  confcience,  that  in  flinplicity  and  godly  flncerity 
we  have  had  our  converfation  in  the  world. 

3.  How  much  docs  it  concern  us  to  hold  f aft  the 
p'ofejfion  of  our  faith^  in  the  tnidft  of  the  greateft  diffi- 
culties and  difcouragemeuts  ?  We  live  in  a  dark  day  of 
error  and  apoftacy  •,  in  which  the  diftinguifhing  glo- 
ries of  the  Gofpel  are  publickly  reviled  and  infulted, 
by  men  of  corrupt  principles  and  licentious  morals. 
Weak  and  unftable  minds  are  in  danger  of  being 
carried  away,  by  the  prevailing  torrent  of  infidelity. 
It  is  therefore  our  indifpenfable  duty  to  maintain  our 
facred  profeffion,  in  this  dangerous  hour  of  temptation, 
and  vigorouQy  to  defend  th^  faith  once  delivered  to  the 

SaintSy 


of  Chn[fs  fecond  Comhg.  5*9 

Saints^  even  in  the  face  of  its  boldeft  oppofers.  For  Our 
blefled  Saviour  has  made  thofe  declarations  %  *  IVhofo-- 
ever  Jhall  confefs  me  before  men^  him  will  I  confefs  before 
•my  Father  which  is  in  heaven.  But  whofoever  Jhall  he 
ajham^d  of  me,,  or  of  my  words,,  of  him  alfo  Jhall  the  Son 
of  man  be  ajham^d^  when  he  comes  in  the  glory  of  his 
Father,,  with  his  holy  Angels, 

If  then  we  betray  the  facred  depofitum  committed 
to  our  truft,  through  covetoufnefs  or  cowardife  *,  if 
we  corrupt  the  purity  of  the  Gofpel,  through  a  fmful 
compliance  with  the  humours  of  the  age :  What  caa 
we  expe6l,  but  that  our  Mafter  and  Judge  will  treac 
us  with  contempt  and  abhorrence,  and  herd  us  among 
his  abandon'd  enemies !  This  thought  fhould  infpire 
us  with  undaunted  courage  in  the  caufe  of  Chrifl,  and 
arm  us  with  a  noble  refolution  to  fubmit  to  the  greateft 
hardlhips  and  difficulties,  rather  than  make  fhipwreck 
of  our  faith  and  a  good  confcience. 

4.  We  Jhould  conjlantly  bear  in  ??wid  the  Jiri^nefs  of 
cur  future  account^  and  live  as  thofe  that  expe5l  to  be 
judged.  If  the  adlions  of  our  lives  w^ere  tranfient,  and 
there  v/ere  no  remembrance  of  them  hereafter  j  if 
death  put  a  final  period  to  our  being,  and  we  were 
never  to  be  called  to  an  account  for  the  things  done  jn 
the  body  ;  we  might  then  give  a  loofe  to  our  fenfual 
inclinations,  and  eat  and  dri?ik  without  thought  or  con- 
cern, for  to  morrow  we  die.  But  fince  we  are  candi- 
dates for  immortality,  and  our  final  date  will  be  deter- 
mined according  to  our  prefent  behaviour,  it  infinitely 
concerns  us,  if  we  have  any  true  love  to  our  feives, 
any  regard  to  our  great  and  everlafting  intereft,  to 
keep  a  future  judgment  perpetually  in  our  view ;  to 
confider,  that  every  a(5tion  of  life  will  be  fcann'd  with 
an  impartial  feverity,  and  an  unalterable  fentence  will 
pafs,  according  to  our  works. 

It 
I 


*  M<^uh  iQ.  31,    Mark  8    >8, 


(Jo  The  Manner  and  Circumftances 

It  is  for  want  of  this,  that  the  unthinking  children 
of  men  are  embolden'd  in  the  pradlice  of  fm,  and  live 
oftentimes  in  an  allowed  courfe  of  impiety  and  pro- 
fanenefs,  of  rioting  and  excefs,  in  an  habitual  negledt 
of  the  fervice  of  God,  and  the  welfare  of  their  im- 
mortal fouls. 

Did  men  ferioufly  confider  the  important  confe- 
quences  of  their  a6lions,  that  they  are  now  fowing  the 
feeds  of  endlefs  and  inconceivable  joy,  or  laying  the 
foundation  of  unutterable  horror  and  defpair ;  it  would 
powerfully  excite  them  to  cleanfe  themfelves  from  all 
filthinefs  of  flefh  and  fpirit,  and  to  be  perfecting  holi- 
nefs  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord.  This  Argument  is  made 
ufe  of  by  the  wife  man  ;  Fear  God^  and  keep  his  com- 
Tnandments  -,  for  God  Jball  bring  every  work  into  judg- 
vnenty  with  every  fecret  things  whether  it  he  good  or 
whether  it  he  evil.    Eccl.  12.   14. 

Let  us  therefore  keep  our  thoughts  fix'd  upon  this 
great  and  important  day,  when  the  Son  of  Man  fhall 
come  in  the  glory  of  his  Father ^  with  his  Angels^  and 
fhall  reward  every  man  according  to  his  works. 

This  indeed  is  an  harlh  and  ungrateful  fubje<51:,  to 
the  greateft  part  of  mankind  ;  they  are  fo  involved  in 
fecular  bufinefs,  fo  folicitous  to  increafe  their  eftates 
and  raife  their  families,  that  they  have  no  time  to  re- 
gard the  one  thing  needful,  and  prepare  for  an  eternal 
judgment :  therefore  they  banilh  the  thought  of  it  out 
of  their  minds,  left  it  Ihould  give  a  check  to  their 
ambitious  views,  and  interrupt  their  worldly  enjoy- 
ments. But  confider,  I  befeech  you ;  thofe  things 
which  you  now  fo  pafTionately  doat  on,  and  for  which 
you  facrifice  your  eternal  All,  will  not  profit  you  in 
the  day  of  wrath ;  they  will  not  appeafe  a  ftormy 
confcience,  nor  bribe  your  impartial  Judge. —  What 
comfort  or  fluisfadlion  will  it  then  afford  you,  to  re- 
fledt,  that  you  have  had  a  diftinguifh'd  name  among 
flattering  mortals,  that  you  have  been  rank'd  among 
tlx  £V cwl  iTi^n  of  ih^  earth,  and  havq  been  honoured 
^  with 


cf  Chrtjfs  fecond  Coming.  6t 

with  a  fplendid  paflage  to  the  grave? Will  any  of 

thefe  ferve  to  procure  you  a  favourable  fcntence  at  the 
tribunal  of  heaven,  or  fcreen  you  from  the  avenging 
wrath  of  an  offended  God,  or  even  abate  your  punifh- 
ment  and  forrow  in  the  day  of  perdition  of  ungodly 
men  ? —  No  verily !  nothing  will  then  fupport  and 
folace  you,  but  the  teftimony  of  an  unreproaching  con- 
fcience,  and  the  fmiles  of  your  almighty  Saviour,  a 
title  to  his  invaluable  nierits,  and  to  the  great  and  prcs^ 
cieus  promifes  of  his  everlafting  Gofpel. 

Let  us  then  be  fo  wife  as  to  forefee  the  evil^  mdjlee 
from  the  wrath  to  come  :  Let  us  now  feek  and  fecure 
the  favour  of  Chrift,  our  fupreme  Lord  and  Judge, 
that  when  we  come  to  ftand  at  his  awful  bar,  we  may 
receive  a  gracious  fentence  from  his  mouth ;  and  may 
appear  before  him  with  Joy  and  Confidence  in  the 
day,  when  he  fhall  come  to  be  glorified  in  his  Saints^ 
and  admired  in  all  them  that  believe. 

To  Him,  t>V. 

AMEN. 


PreachM    Jan.  8. 


SER^ 


(62) 


SERMON   V. 

The  Nature  and  Neceflity  of  Prepara- 
tion for  the  Coming  of  Chrift. 


II  C  O  R.   V.    9. 

Wherefore  we  lahour^  that  whether  prefent  or  ah- 
jtnt  we  may  he  accepted  of  Him. 

OF  all  the  affairs,  that  employ  the  time  and 
captivate  the  affedions  of  the  children  of 
men,  none  fo  juftly  defer ve  our  attention 
and  concern,  as  a  preparation  for  that 
awful  day,  when  v/e  muft  ftand  before  the  impartial 
bir  of  Chrift,  and  give  an  account  of  the  things  done 
in  the  body.  This  fhould  be  the  work  of  our  early 
Years,  and  engage  the  (Irength  and  vigour  of  our 
manly  age  -,  but  alas !  it  is  commonly  delayed  to  the 
dark  evening  of  life,  'all  the  melancholy^decays  of 
nature  warn  us  of  our  approaching  end. 

The  fpecious  vanities  and  trifles  of  the  world  divert 
unthinking  fmners  from  a  ferious  application  to  the 
one  thing  needful ;  they  flatter  themifelves,  that  the 
Vifion  is  for  many  days^  and  they  fhalL  have  time 
enough  hereafter'  to  fecure  the  favour  of  their  Judge. 

The  deluge  of  waters  broke  in  upon  the  old  world 
in  the  height  of  their  fecurity,  wbilji  they  uiere  eatmg 
and  drinkin^^  marrying  and  giving  in  indrriage^  and 

dif- 


the  Nature  &  Neceftty  of  Preparathtt^  &c.  6^ 

difpatch'd  them  in  a  moment  into  irrecoverable  mi^ 
fery ;  and  this  prefent  earth,  which  is  referv'd  for  the 
fire  of  the  iaft  day,  ihall  be  deftroy'd  in  as  fudden  and 
irrefiflible  a  manner.  As  it  was  in  the  days  of  Noah, 
fo  Jhall  it  he  in  the  days  of  the  Son  of  Man.  When  the 
world  is  drown*d  in  fin  and  fecurity,  and  dream  of 
nothing  but  peace  and  fafety^  then  Jhall  fudden  dejl ruc- 
tion come  upon  them^  as  travail  upon  a  woman  with 
child. 

Therefore  our  blefTed  Saviour  exhorts  his  difciples 
to  continual  watchful nefs  and  diligence,  ^ake  heed^ 
left  at  any  time  your  hearts  he  overcharged  with  furfeit-- 
ing  and  drunkennefs.,  and  the  cares  of  this  life.,  and  fo 
that  day  come  upon  you  unawares  -,  for  as  a  fnare  will 
it  come  on  all  them  that  dwell  on  the  face  of  the  earth  *. 
And  every  v/ife  confiderate  man  will  receive  the 
folemn  caution,  and  avoid  the  danger  of  a  fudden  fur- 
prize  :  Now  this  can  only  be  done  by  making  it  the 
great  bufinefs  of  Life  to  prepare  for  the  coming  of 
our  Lord.  This  was  the  pradice  of  St.  Faid.,  as  we 
find  in  our  text ;  and  his  example  is  worthy  of  our 
careful  and  diligent  imitation.  The  Point  then  to  be 
infilled  upon  is  this : 

It  Jhould  he  the  great  ftudy  and  endeavor  of  every 
chriftiany  that  he  may  he  accepted  of  the  Lord  in  the  day 
of  Judgment, 

In  fpeaking  to  this  Point,  I  fhall 

Firft.,  Confider^w/-?^/  is  required  of  iis^  that  we  may 
be  accepted  of  the  Lord  in  the  day  of  Judgment. 

Secondly,  IVJjy  every  Chriftian  fhculd  make  this 
his  great  itudy  and  endeavor. 

Firfl. 


*  luk.  Zi.  24,  25. 


^4     The  feature  ©  Ueceftty  of  Preparation 

Firfl.  /  Jhall  confider  what  is  requir'd  ofus^  that  wi 
may  he  acceped  cf  the  Lord  in  the  day  of  Judgment, 
The  cafe  is  pradlical,  and  deferves  our  clofe  and  dili- 
gent attention.  1  Ihall  only  infift  on  a  few  general 
and  comprehenfive  articles. 

I .  We  miift  by  faith  fecure  a  title  to  the  Merits  and 
Rtghteoufnefs  of  Chrifl.  We  are  all  by  nature  involv'd 
in  the  guilt  of  fin,  expos'd  to  the  condemning  fentence 
of  the  law,  and  in  danger  of  fuffering  the  vengeance 
of  eternal  fire ;  the  holieft  of  men  arc  encompafs'd 
with  innumerable  imperfeftions,  and  their  bed  perfor- 
mances are  defiled  with  fo  many  blcmilhes,  that  fhould 
God  be  drift  to  mark  iniquity,  who  could  ftand  the 
fiery  trial,  and  appear  with  fafety  at  the  inlightned 
tribunal  of  heaven  ?  Hence  the  humble  Pfalmift  vehe- 
mently deprecates  the  ftri6l  inquiry  of  juflice  *,  Enter 
not  into  judgment  with  thy  fervant^  O  Lord !  for  in  thy 
fight  Jhall  no  man  living  he  jujlified.  And  the  great 
Doctor  of  the  Gentiles^  tho'  among  the  chief  of  Saints, 
and  an  eminent  Apoflle,  renounces  all  confidence  In 
himfelf,  and  counts  all  things  hut  lofs,  that  he  may  he 
found  in  Chi-ift^  not  having  on  his  own  righteoufnefs 
which  is  of  the  law\  hut  that  which  is  through  faith  in 
him  *.— —  Not  one  of  the  fons  of  men  can  perfedly 
obey  the  divine  commands,  nor  by  any  thing  that  he 
can  do  or  fuffer,  appeafe  the  infinite  difpleafure  of  an 
holy  God  :  But  the  expiatory  facrifice  of  Chrifl  com- 
pleatly  anfwer'd  the  demands  of  juflice,  and  by  his 
unfpotted  innocence  he  vindicated  the  honour  of  the 
law,  and  purchas'd  eternal  redemption  for  his  chofen 
People. 

Now  if  ever  we  would  be  acquitted  at  the  bar  of 
God,  and  obtain  the  favour  of  our  impartial  Judge, 
we  mufl  plead,  not  any  works  of  righteoufnefs  that  we 
have  done,  but  the  meritorious  obediene?  and  fufferings 
of  our  blelfed  Saviour, 

Andl 


^  PbiL  3.  8,  p, 


for  the  Coming  of  Chrlfl.  6^ 

And  that  we  may  have  a  title  to  his  invaluable 
merits,  we  muft  by  faith  accept  of  him  as  our  only 
Saviour,  and  acknowledge  him  as  our  fovereign  Lord 
and  Owner,  with  an  entire  dependance  on  his  all- 
fufficient  facrifice,  and  an  unfeigned  defire  to  obey 
his  excellent  precepts  •,  for  he  is  a  Prieft  upon  a  throtiCy 
a  Pri?ice  as  well  as  a  Saviour :  And  none  will  be  lav^d 
by  the  merits  of  his  blood,  but  thofe  that  fubmit  to 

the  fceptre  of  his  government.- And  happy  are 

they  who  thus  by  faith  receive  him  upon  the  terms  of 
the  Gofpel ;  for  they  are  deliver'd  from  the  condem- 
ning fentence  of  the  law,  and  may  approach  the  facred 
tribunal  of  juftice  with  an  humble  confidence  of  ap- 
probation and  acceptance. 

2.  Our  natures  mufi  he  fanBified  by  the  almighty  /;;- 
fiuences  of  the  Spirit^  and  renewed  after  the  image  of 
the  hlefjed  God.  Man  by  nature  is  not  only  involv'd 
in  chains  of  guilt,  but  funk  into  the  mofl  deplorable 
ftate  of  deformity  and  pollution  ;  his  underftanding  is 
darkned  by  clouds  of  error  and  ignorance,  and  filled 
with  mighty  prejudices  againft  the  divine  and  fi-iper- 
natural  myileries  of  the  Gofpel :  His  will  is  ftubborn 
and  refractory,  impatient  of  the  yoke  of  God*s  autho- 
rity, and  inclin'd  to  continual  rebellion  againft  him  : 
His  affedlions  are  captivated  to  the  dominion  and 
tyranny  of  fm,  and  plac'd  upon  the  moft  degrading 
and  inferiour  objcdls :  In  fhort,  the  whole  man  is  per- 
verfly  alienated  from  the  life  and  fervicc  of  God,  and 

ftrongly  difpos'd  to  the  moft  abominable  evils. 

This   is  the  unhappy  charader  of  man  in  a  ftate  of 

unregcnerate  Nature Hence   arifcs  the  indifpen- 

fable  neceflity  of  an  holy  change,  to  qualify  us  for  the 
acceptable  fervice  of  God  upon  earth,  and  prepare  us 

for  the  ineffable  glories  of  heaven. The  under- 

ftanding  muft  be  illuminated  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  to 
believe  the  certainty  and  excellency  of  things  unfeen 
and  eternal,  to  perceive  the  beauty  of  liolinels,  and 
the  equity  and  reafonabkn^^ls  of  the  divine  command- 
ments. 


66     The  Nature  &  Necejity  of  Preparation 

ments.  The  native  enmity  of  the  Tinner's  heart  miift 
be  fubduM,    and  every   faculty  of  the  foul  brought 

under    a    confecration  to   the  fervice  of  God. 

Till  this  mighty  change  is  produc'd,  the  finner  is  dead 
in  trefpajfes  and  ftns^  and  his  mod  perfect  fervices 
are  a  flench  and  abhorrence  in  the  noftrils  of  an  holy 
God',  and  therefore  he  has  nothing  elfe  to  exped, 
but  the  awful  frowns  of  his  incenfed  judge,  and  the 
diftrefTing  thunders  of  his  avenging  wrath. 

The  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  is  of  purer  eyes  than  to  he- 
hold  iniquity^  the  heavens  ^re  not  clean  in  his  fight^  and 
his  angels  he  chargeth  with  folly.  None  will  be  ac- 
knowledged and  accepted  by  him,  in  the  great  day  of 
Judgment,  but  fuch  as  bear  the  impreflion  of  the 
divine  image,  who  cleanfe  themfelves  from  all  filthi- 
nefs  of  flefh  and  fpirit,  and  are  perfecting  holinefs 
in  the  fear  of  the  Lord.  Without  this  inward  puri- 
fication, the  mod  bright  and  diftinguifh'd  profefTion 
among  men  wuil  be  difapprov'd  and  condemn'd  by 
our  all-feeing  Judge.  Others  indeed  may  have  a 
name  in  the  church  upon  earth,  and  pafs  for  eminent 
Saints  in  the  fight  of  the  world  ;  but  they  will  be 
excluded  the  Sandluary  above,  and  rank'd  among 
the  workers  of  iniquity,  in  the  day  of  their  decifive 
trial. 

3 .  A  fmcere  and  impartial  regard  to  the  law  of  God 
is  neccjfary  to  final  acceptance  -with  our  Judge.  Many 
that  boaft  of  an  high  profelTion,  and  vainly  triumph 
in  their  Gofpel-privileges,  are  hypocritical  in  their 
pretences,  and  partial  in  their  obedience  to  the  laws 
of  Chrift. —  "With  the  ancient  Pharifees^'Ctitj  are  ftridl 
in  their  attendance  upon  the  divine  worfliip,  and  zea- 
loufly  atrach'd  to  the  outward  formalities  of  Religion; 
but  nnjuft  and  cpprelTive  in  their  dealings,  carnal  and 
covetous  in  their  con Verfations. —  While  others  build 
their  hopes  upon  a  moral  and  inoffenfive  behaviour 
towards  men,  tho*  they  are  ilidly  negligent  of  their 
oblio-ations  to  God,  and  live  in^n  avow*d  contempt 

of 


for  the  Coming  of  Chrijl.  6f 

of  his  worfliip  and  ordinances. —  A  third  fort  calculate 
their  Religion  for  the  public  view,  and  make,  a  plau- 
fible  appearance  in  the  Temple,  but  are  ftrangers  to 
the  devotions  of  the  Clofet ;  they  liberally  difpenfe 
their  alms,  when  the  found  of  a  trumpet  proclaims 
their  charity,  but  are  fordidly  fparing  when  there  is 
no  profped  of  gradfying  a  vain-glorious  humour ; 
they  are  zealous  for  the  Kingdom  of  Chrift,  when  it 
will  advance  their  honour  and  intereft,  but  are  cold 
and  indifferent  when  the  great  doctrines  of  the  Gofpel 
are  fallen  under  reproach,  and  boldly  aflliulted  by- 
men  of  figure  and  eltate. 

By  fuch  hypocriucal  pretences  as  thcfe,  multitudes 
lull  themfelves  into  fecurity,  and  vainly  imagine  ta 
obtain  the  favour  of  God.  But  alas!  his  all-feeing  eye 
pierces  through  every  difguife,  and  marks  out  the 
painted  formalift,  how  cautioufly  foever  he  may  be 
concealed.  A  partial  obedience  to  the  divine  com- 
mands will  not  ftand  the  trial  of  an  enlightned  confci- 
ence  upon  earth,  nor  be  approv'd  by  the  unerring 
verdid  of  heaven.  If  our  hearts  co)ide77in  us  of  any 
fecret  and  indulg'd  iniquity,  God  is  greater  thayi  our 
hearts  and  knoweth  all  things  :  hut  if  our  hearts  condemn 
us  Tioty  then  we  have  cojifidence  towards  God,  and  may 
hope  for  the  divine  acceptance,    i  Joh.  3.  20,  21. 

If  therefore  we  would  enjoy  the  teftimony  of  an 
nnreproaching  confcience,  and  receive  the  euge  of  our 
Judge,  we  mull  have  a  facred  refpe6l  to  every  duty, 
wichour  exception  or  referve  •,  and  be  the  fame  in  the 
fecret  clofet,  when  no  Eye  but  that  of  God  and  con- 
fcience is  upon  us,  -as  when  we  ftand  upon  the  open 
theatre  of  the  world,  and  are  encompafs'd  with  a  thou- 
fand  witnefTes.  We  muft  bear  an  univerfd  hatred  to  fin, 
tho'  dear  unto  us  as  a  right  hand  and  a  right  eye  ;  and 
particularly  watch  and  ftrive  againft  thofe  darling  ini- 
quities, which  the  conftitution  ot  our  bodies,  the  difpo- 
ficion  of  our  minds,  and  our  company  and  bufinefs 
n^oft  ftrongly  incline  us  to  the  commiiriQu  of.    In  fine, 

K  we 


68      The  Nature  (s  MeceJJJty  of  ?reparation 

we  muft  not  only  pay  a  ftrid  regard  to  the  important 
duties  of  piety  towards  God,  but  inviolably  obferve 
the  fl\cred  rules  of  juftice  and  charity  to  men.  This 
will  afford  us  a  divine  fupport  in  the  darkeft  hours  of 
diflrefs,  and  enable  us  to  fay  with  the  infpir'd  Apof- 
tle,  Our  rejoicing  is  tbis^  the  teftimony  of  our  confciencey 
that  in  fimplicity  and  godly  fincerity^  by  the  grace  of 
Gody  we  have  had  our  converfation  in  the ,  world. 
1  Cor.  1 .   1 2 . 

4.  A  frequent  Review  of  our  lives  and  aElions^  and  a 
judging  our  felves  for  our  Jins^  is  an  happy  preparative 
for  the  great  day  of  trial.  It  is  the  wifdom  of  perfons 
engag'd  in  worldly  bufinefs,  frequently  to  furvey  their 
accounts,  and  enquire  into  the  flate  of  their  affairs ; 
And  it  is  equally  incumbent  on  the  children  of  light, 
to  examine  into  the  ftate  of  their  fouls,  that  they  may 
know  what  duties  they  have  omitted,  what  fins  they 
have  been    guilty  of,  and  what  progrefs  they   have 

made  in  the  chriftian  courfe. While  we  tabernacle 

in  flefh,  and  are  furrounded  with  fo  many  infnaring 
objeds,  the  befl  of  men  will  be  fometimes  furprifed 
into  fin  through  the  remaining  corruption  of  their  na- 
tures, or  overborn   by  the  ftrength  and   violence   of 

temptations. It  is  therefore  highly  necefTary  that 

we  frequently  review  our  condudt,  and  compare  it 
with  the  law  of  God,  the  unerring  rule  of  our  duty  ; 
that  fo  we  may  be  acquainted  with  our  errors  and  mif- 

carriages. This,, will  awaken  our  repentance  for 

our  daily  offences,  and  engage  us  to  a  fervent  appli- 
cation to  the  blood  of  Chrift  for  pardon,  that  fountain 

which  is  fet  open  for  fin  and  for  uncleannefs. This 

will  infpire  us  with  unfeign'd  refolutions  of  amend- 
ment, and  excite  our  care  and  vigilance  to  avoid 
thofe  fins  for  which  we  have  fo  feverely  Judg'd  and 
condemn'd  our  felves. And  this  has  a  blelfed  ten- 
dency to  keep  our  confciences  clear  from  indulg'd 
iniquities,  and  to  prevent  that  awful  furprife,  that 
muft  feize  the  impenitent  finncr,  when  the  midnight- 
"  cry 


for  the  Comhg  of  Chrifl,  6^ 

cry  fliall  awaken  him  out  of  his  fecurity,  and  fum- 
mon  him  to  the  tremendous  judgment- feat  of  Chrifl. 

What  an  unfpeakable  happinefs  will  it  then  be,  to 
have  our  confcience  purified  from  defiling  fins,  and 
all  breaches  made  up  between  God  and  our  fouls !  — 
Such  may ,  hear  the  found  of  the  lad  trumpet  with 
calmnefs  and  ferenity  of  mind,  and  ftand  fecurc  amidil 
the  fhocks  of  a  diilolving  world. 

5.  Continual  Meditation  upon  the  certainty  and  foletn^ 
nity  of  a  future  Judgment^  is  an  excellent  means  to 
engage  us  to  a  ferious  preparation  for  it.  There's 
nothing  more  highly  deferves  our  ferious  and  atten- 
tive regards,  and  yet  nothing  that  unthinking  finnersfo 
induftrioufly  banilli  out  of  their  minds.  What  fub- 
je6l,  of  equal  importance,  can  employ  our  thoughts 
and  engage  our  attention,  as  this  great  and  illuftrious 
event?  Which  will  unfold  the  myfteries  of  divine 
providence,  clear  up  the  difficulties  of  his  government, 
and  difplay  the  perfections  of  the.  Deity  in  their 
brighteft  glories. What  are  all  the  dazling  tri- 
umphs of  the  mighty  Princes  and  Generals  ot  the 
Earth,  but  childifh  and  defpicable  trifles,  in  compari- 
fon  with  the  pompous  defcent  of  our  almighty  Savi- 
our, attended  with  the  fhining  equipage  of  heaven  ! — 
If  now  we  are  affeded  with  the  appearance  of  an 
earthly  Judge,  attended  with  the  minifters  of  juftice, 
to  enforce  the  execution  of  the  law,  is  it  not  infinitely 
more  reafonable  to  employ  our  thoughts  upon  that 
vafl  and  mofl  affeding  fcene,  in  which  all  the  pofle- 
rity  Q^  Adavi  fliall  ftand  before  the  throne  of  God, 
and  receive  an  irrevocable  fentence  of  happinefs,  or 

mifery,  according  to  their  works! Efpecially  if 

we  confider,  that  we  are  all  deeply  concerned  in  this 
great  tranfadlion,  and  muft  bear  a  part  in  the  joys  and 
triumphs,  or  in  the  fears  and  terrors  of  that  awful  day. 
The  negled  of  this  great  duty  i$  one  caufe  of  the 
general  impiety  and  wickednefs  of  the  world,  and 
makes  them  prefumptuous  aud  fec:ure  in  the  midft  of 
amazing  dangers,  "  ~  Wc 


70      The  Nature  &  Necefity  of  Preparation 

We  fl^ould  therefore  call  off  our  thoughts  from  the 
contemptible  vanities  of  time  and  fenfe,  fix  them  upon 
a  future  Judgment,  and  confider  its  important  confe- 
quences,  that  io  we  may  be  quickned  to  prepare  for 
that  great  and  terrible  day  cf  the  Lord. —  I  now  pro* 
ceed  to  confider, 

Secondly,  Why  it  JImdd  he  the  great  Study  and  En- 
ieavour  of  every  Chrijlian  to  prepare  for  the  day  of 
Judgment^  and  that  he.  may  then  be  accepted  ot  the 
Lord. 

Now, 

I .  It  is  a  work  of  the  greateft  difficulty ^  and  re- 
quires the  utmoft  felf-demal^  refohition^  and  diligence. 
This  our  Mailer  and  Judge  hath  warn'd  his  followers 
of;  that  they  might  not  pleafe  themfelves  with  vain 
dream.s  of  carnal  eafe  and  pleafure  in  the  way  to  the 
Kingdom,  but  might  be  prepared  to  encounter  the 
hardfliips  that  attend  the  chrifbian  life.  He  hath 
aflured  us,  that  the  kingdo?n  of  heaven  fuffereth  violence^ 
and  the  violent  take  it  by  force  :  He  hath  commanded 
us  to  ftrive  to  enter  in  at  the  fir  ait  gate  i  for  many  will 
feek  to  enter  in  and  fijall  -not  he  ahle*. 

The  Duties  enjoy n'd  upon  us,  are  contrary  to  the 
corrupt  inclinations  of  fiefli  and  blood,  and  require  the 
deepell'  mortification  and  felfdenial.  The  carnal  mind 
is  enmity  to  God,  impatient  of  reilraint,  and  madly 
bent  upon  thofe  ways  that  lead  to  deftrudlion  and 
ruin.-  -  And  what  can  be  a  greater  diiHculty,  than 
to  offer  violence  to  our  depraved  natures,  to  fubdue 
our  darling  lulls,  and  maintain  a  continual  war  againft 
our  felvcs  ? 

And  the  difHculty  is  greatly  increafed,  by  the  ex- 
ternal impediments  that  attend  us.  Satan,  the  grand 
adverfary  of  fouls,  flioots  his  invenom'd  arrows,  on 
every  fide,  to  woupd  and  deftroy  us,  and  ufes  a  thou- 
fand  unobferv'd  and  politic  flratagems  to  entice   us 

from 


^  AlattL  II.  2i.     Luk.  II,  Z4. 


jot  the  Coming  of  Chrifl.  71 

from  God  and  our  Duty.  The  men  of  the  world 
will  revile  and  perfecute  us  for  our  fidelity  and  dili- 
gence in  the  difcharge  of  our  duty,  and  pradlife  the 
moft  deflrudive  Methods  to  corrupt  and  defile  us. 
And  is  it  not  a  laborious  talk  to  withftand  the  rage 
of  earth  and  hell,  to  refill  the  infedion  of  evil  exam- 
ples, and  ftem  the  tide  of  a  degenerate  age  ? Is  it 

not  difficult  to  oppofe  the  fott  enchantments  of  vice, 
and  efcape  the  corruption  that  is  in  the  world  thro* 
lull }  What  manly  courage  and  refolution  is  required, 
to  fubdue  the  inveterate  habits  of  vice,  to  conquer  our 
native  indifpofition  to  holinefs,  and  to  bear  up  againft 
the  fubtle  infinuations  and  violent  afHiults  of  tempta- 
tion? Now  this  muft  be  done  by  every  one  that  would 
be  faithful  to  the  caufe  of  Chrift,  and  obtain  the  ap- 
probation of  his  Judge.  Therefore  we  are  com- 
manded, not  to  be  fiotbful  in  hiifinefs^  hit  fervent  in 
fpirit^  ferving  the  Lord  *  ;  and  are  exhorted  to  give  all 
diligence  to  make  our  calling  and  ele5lion  fure  -f. 

2.  ms  Life  is  the  only  feafon  allotted  for  this  great 
work.     The  foundation  of  our  future  happinefs  muft 
be  laid  in  this  world,  if  ever  we  expedl  to  receive  the 
reward  of  future  glory.     We  muft  now  fow  the  (tms 
of  righteoufnefs,  if  we   would  rejoice   in  a    plentiful 
harveft  at  the  refurredion  of  the  juft.     The  divine 
life  muft  be  begun  upon  earth,  that  fo  it  may  receive 
its  laft  and  finifhing  ftroke  of  beauty  and  perfe6tion 
in  heaven.     Now  we  muft  arife  from  the  death   of 
fin,  and  follow  Chrift  in  the  regeneration:  and  then 
we  iliall  hereafter  rife  unto  Glory,  and  he  accounted 
worthy  to  fland  before  the  Son  of  Man,  in  the  day  of 
his  appearance  andkingdo?n.     This  is  the  time  of  trial, 
in  which  we  muft  engage  in  the  chriftian  warfare, 
fight  the  good  fight,  and  continue  faithful  unto  death, 
that  in  the  day  of  Judgment  we  may  give  up  our 
account  with  joy,  and  receive  a  crown  of  Life/  For 

in 


■^  Rqvu  14,   II,  t  i  ^V/.   I.   10. 


7X      The  Mature  &  Meceffity  of  V reparation 

in  that  day  the  rewards  and  punilhments  will  be  dif- 
tributed  according  to  our  prefent  fpirit  and  behaviour ; 
and  the  fentence  that  ihall  be  pafs'd,  will  be  final  and 
irreverfibJe.  No  appeal  can  be  made  from  this  high 
tribunal  \  no  review  can  be  obtain'd  in  the  court  of 
heaven  •,  the  Judge  will  then  be  inexorable,  and  the 
ftate  of  all  mankind  unalterable.  Which  leads  me 
to  fay, 

3.  If  3.eath  furprife  us  in  an  unprepared  eftate,  the 
day  of  Judgrnent  will  be  a  day  of  inconceivable  terror 
and  amazement.  Unutterable  anguifh  and  diftrefs  will 
feize  upon  impenitent  fmners,  when  they  fliall  fee 
him  whom  they  have  pierced^  and  remember  the  innu- 
merable indignities  they  have  thrown  upon  him. 
They  will  no  longer  be  able  to  drown  the  voice  of 
confcience  in  floods  of  wine,  nor  drive  away  their 
melancholy  thoughts  with  mufick  and  dancing,  with 
gaiety  and  entertainment.  The  Principles  of  Infide- 
lity, which  are  now  fo  greedily  imbib'd,  againft  the 
repeated  admonitions  of  confcience  and  to  the  reproach 
of  human  nature,  will  then  afford  but  a  poor  and  feeble 
fupport.  Unbelievers  will  receive  a  terrible  convic- 
tion, that  the  great  doftrines  of  the  Gofpel  are  not 
the  dreams  of  enthufiafm.,,  nor  the  fubtle  inventions 
of  the  defigning  Prieft  and  the  crafty  Politician.  They 
will  find  by  fad  experience,  that  God  is  not  to  he 
f?jock'dy  that  his  wrath  is  not  tp  be  trifled  with,  nor 
the  methods  of  his  grace  to  be  infuked  and  blaf- 
phem=d. 

What  excufe  v/iil  they  plead  for  their  infolent  de- 
iiance  of  Heaven,  dieir  (lupid  negledl  of  the  invalua- 
ble  offers  of  a  Saviour,  their  obflinate  continuance  in 
iin,  in  oppofition  to  the  convictions  and  drivings  of 

the   holy  Spirit? What  defence  will  they  make 

for  their  contempt  of  their  baptifmal  vows,  and  their 
preferring  the  pomps  and  vanities  of  this  world,  to 
the  favour  of  God,  and  the  ineffable  joys  of  his 
prefence  f 

Hovy 


for  the  Coming  of  Chrtfl,  73 

How  will  their  countenances  be  appal'd,  and  their 
fouls  filled  with  terror,  when  they  ihall  fee  their  al- 
mighty Judge,  whofe  authority  they  have  defpifed, 
whofe  laws  they  have  difobey'd,  and  whofe  merits 
they  have  blafphem'd,  defcending  in  the  clouds  of 
heaven,  attended  with  the  dreadful  artillery  of  his 
wrath,  to   vindicate  the  authority  of  his    laws,   and 

punifh  the  contempt  of  his  government  I What 

confufion  and  horror  will  furprize  them,  when  they 
meet  with  their  finful  and  defiled  bodies,  the  ancient 
partners  of  their  wickednefs,  which  have  been  the  de- 
teftable  inftruments  of  their  profanenefs  and  impiety, 
their  opprefFion  and  cruelty,  their  riot  and  debauche- 
ry ! — —  With  what  weeping  eyes,  aftonifh'd  counte- 
nances, and  trembling  hearts,  will  they  fland  before 
the  tribunal  of  Chrift,  when  their  fecret  impurities, 
their  hypocritical  difguifes,  their  lewd  and  wicked  inten- 
tions, fhall  be  publickly  detedled  and  expofed,  to  the 
contempt  and  abhorrence  of  the  congregation  of  the 
righteous!—^ — What  diftrelTing  agonies  and  convui- 
fions  muft  feize  them,  when  they  Ihall  be  condcmn'd 
in  the  day  of  trial,  and  their  incenfed  Lord  fhall  pafs 
that  unalterable  fentence  upon  them.  Depart  from  me, 
yc  curfed^  into  everlafti?ig  fire,  prepared  for  the  devil 

and  his  angels ! If  the  fentence  of  an  earthly  judge 

is  fo  much  to  be  dreaded,  and  excites  in  a  condemn'd 
criminal  fuch  bitter  lamentations,  how  inconceivably 
more  terrible  will  be  the  final  determination  of  our 
eternal  J  udge,  which  condemns  the  wicked  to  endlefs 

and  intolerable  mifery ! With  what   vehemence 

and  importunity  will  they  lift  up  their  cries  for  th  it 
mercy,  which  now  they  affront  and  defpife !  But  alas  I 
their  righteous  Judge  v;ill  then  be  deaf  to  their  loudell 
intreaties.  Once  he  compaflionately  called  upon  them 
to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come,  and  fent  his  embaila- 
dors  to  invite  them  to  accept  of  eternal  happinefs ; 
but  they  infolently  rejeded  his  invaluable  ofi-ers,  and 
ungratefully  abufed  the  methods  of  his  grace,  they 

dciplibd 


74     ^^^  Nature  ^  J^fecefjity  of  Preparation 

defpifed  his  wife  counfels,  and  difregarded  his  awful 
reproofs :  therefore  he  will  mock  at  their  calamity^  and 
laugh  when  their  fear  cofneth. —  Not  all  the  furprifmg 
miracles  of  his  love,  not  all  the  bitter  agonies  and  for- 
rows  of  his  death,  not  the  facred  flreams  of  his  blood, 
which  was  fhed  for  the  redemption  of  a  guilty  world, 
could  perfwade  them  to  forfake  their  fins,  and  devote 
themfelves  to  his  fefvice  ;  but  they  obftinately  retained 
their  beloved  lulls,  and  prefer'd  their  fins  before 
their  Saviour :  His  abufed  goodnefs  will  therefore  be 
converted  into  fury,  and  the  door  of  mercy  be  bolted 
againft  them  forever. —  But  I  turn  to  a  bright  fcene, 
and  proceed  to  fay,  ' 

4.  To  thofe  that  are  found  in  a  ftate  o^  favour  and 
acceptance  with  Chrift,  the  day  of  Judgment  will  be  a 
time  of  unfpeakable  joy  and  refrejhment.  With  what 
fatisfadion  and  pleafure  may  they,  who  live  foberly, 
righteoufly,  and  godlily  in  the  world,  look  for  that 
hleffed  hope^  and  the  glorious  appearance  of  the  great  God 
their  Saviour^  who  has  loved  them  with  an  everlafting 
Love,  chofen  them  from  among  the  degenerate  mafs 
of  mankind,  wafh'd  them  from  their  fins  in  the  foun- 
tain of  his  blood,  and  is  coming  to  receive  them  to 
his  arms  and  embraces  for  ever ! 

With  what  extafies  of  joy  and  triumph  will  they 
filute  the  happy  day,  when  their  glorified  Redeemer 
(hall  defcend  to  this  lower  world,  in  the  pomp  and 
character  of  an  incarnate  God,  clothed  with  majefty 
imd  ftrength,  and  attended  with  all  the  honours  of  his 
exalted  ftate ! — How  will  they  rejoice,  with  joy  un- 
Iptakable,  to  behold  Him,  that  for  their  fakes  made 
himfeif  of  710  reputation^  became  poor^  and  pafs'd  through 
an  amazing  fcene  of  the  moft  difmal  fufferings,  even 
the  Man  Jejiis  Chriji,  feated  upon  a  triumphant  throne 
of  glory,  and  furrounded  with  a  Ihining  croud  of 
jKgeis,  Jnban^ehy  and  the  fpirits  of  juji  mm  made 
terfe^  ! 


for  the  Cumhg  of  Chrjfl.  7j 

How  agreable  a  meeting  will  they  have  with  their 
ancient  Bodies-,  the  companions  of  their  meeknels, 
humility  and  felf- denial,  which  have  for  fo  many- 
years  been  confin'd  to  the  dark  and  filent  grave,  and 
covered  with  deformity  and  corruption  •,  but  are  now 
rais'd  from  the  duft  of  death,  clothed  with  immortal 
youth  and  beauty,  and  fitted  for  a  ftate  of  perfed  in- 
nocence and  happinefs! How  tranfporting  a  fight 

will  it  be,  to  behold  the  goodly  Company  of  the  Pro- 
pbetSy  Patriarchs,  and  Apftles,  and  all  thofe  brave  and 
generous  Souls,  who  in  all  ages  of  the  church  have 
facrificed  their  lives  for  the  teftimony  of  Jefus^  and 
have  follow'd  their  Lord  and  Mafter  in  fuffering  and 
patience,  in  purity  and  heavenly-mindednefs,  all  uni- 
ted in  one  vaft  alTembly,  and   fhouting  forth    the 

praifes  of  their  exalted  Redeemer  ! How  will  it 

refrefli  them  to  have  their  injured  innocence  publickly 
vindicated,  their  lecret  piety  and  charity  applauded^ 
and  their  holy  thoughts  and  intentions  proclaim'd,  to 
their  immortal  honour ! But  what  heart  can  con- 
ceive, what  tongue  can  utter  the  mighty  tranfports 
that  will  poiTefs  the  Saints,  when  their  God  and  Savi- 
our fhall  openly  acknowledge  them  as  his  friends  and 
favourites,  and  declare  them  heirs  of  eternal  Glory  !  — 
With  what  raptures  of  Joy  will  they  hear  that  happy 
fentence  pronounc'd  upon  them  •,  Cotne,  ye  Blejjkd  of 
my  Father,  inherit  the  Kingdom  prepared  for  you  from 
the  foundatiojt  of  the  world !  after  which  they  iliall 
immGdiately  enter  into  the  heavenly  paradife,  and  be 
for  ever  with  the  Lord. 

And  now  upon  the  whole,  fince  preparation  for  a 
future  Judgment  is  a  work  of  fo  much  difficulty  and 
pai?!s, —  Since  this  life  is  the  only  time  allotted  for  this 
great  work, —  Since  the  confequences  of  an  tinprepar*d 
Hate  are  fo  infinitely  terrible,  and  the  advantages  of 
the  contrary  fo  inconceivably  joyful ;  furely  it  behoves 
f  very  Chrifti^n  to  make  it  his  great  ftudy  and  endea- 

L  Yor, 


76     The  Mature  &  tJecefity  of  ? reparation 

vor,  that  he  may  be  accepted  of  the  Lord  in  the  day  of 
Judgment. 

EXHORTATIOJI* 

Wherefore  fin  the  Apoftle's  words,  1  Pet.  3,  14.) 
Beloved^  he  diligent  that  ye  may  he  found  of  your  Judge 
in  peace ^  without  fpot  and  hlamelefs.  This  is  the  natu- 
ral and  neceffary  Counfel,  upon  what  has  now  been 
deliver'd  unto  you :  and  what  more  important,  than  a 
fpeedy  and  unfeign'd  compliance  with  it  ?  Efpecially 
if  we  confider,  that  the  time  of  this  great  event  is  re- 
fer v'd  am^ng  the  Secrets  of  heaven,  and  wifely  con- 
cealed from  the  moft  fagacious  and  inquifitive  minds : 
So  that,  for  ought  we  know,  the  Judge  may  be  now 
Handing  at  the  door ;  and  before  the  dawn  of  another  j 
day  the  laft  trumpet  may  found,  and  liimmon  us  to  ^^ 
the  bar  of  Chrift.  And  confidering  the  infidelity  and 
profanenefs,  the  corrupt  principles,  and  dilTolute  man- 
ners of  the  prefent  age  ^  we  have  uncommon  reafon 
to  believe,  that  day  haftens  upon  us  apace :  for  when 
the  Son  of  Man  cometh^  Jhall  he  find  faith  upon  the 
earth?  Luk.  18.  8. 

Thefe  things  may  now  be  received  with  fcorn  and 
banter,  and  the  awful    warnings  of  heaven  may   be 
treated  as  the  melancholy  dreams  of  a  gloomy  and 
fuperftitious  mind;  the  Scoffers  of  the  prefent  day  M 
may  break   their   impious  jefts  upon  Religion,  and  1 

triumph  in  their  prefent  peace  and  fecurity  : But 

we  are  aflur'd  from  the  unerring  oracles  of  God,  that 
the  day  of  the  Lord  will  come  as  a  thief  in  the 
nighty  in  which  the  heavens  fhall  pafs  away  with  a  great 
fioife^  a7td  the  elements  fhall  7nelt  with  fervent  heat^  the 
earth  alfo^  and  the  works  that  are  therein^  fhall  he  hurnt 

tip.  2  Pet.  3.   10. It  is  therefore  our  wifdom  and    | 

duty  to  attend  to  the  advice  of  our  L.ord  ("with  which 

I  conclude;  Mattk,  24.  42, 46,    JVatch  there* 

fore. 


for  the  Coming  of  Chri[t.  yj 

fore^  for  ye  know  not  what  hour  your  Lord  doth  come. 
Be  ye  ready  *,  for  in  fuch  an  hour  as  ye  think  not^  the 
Son  of  Man  cometh  :  and  Blejfed  is  that  Servant^  whom 
his  Lord  when  he  cometh^  Jhallfindfo  doing. 

AMEN. 


PrcachM    March  itl 


SER- 


(78) 


S  E  R  M  O  N   VL 

The   Diffolution  of    the  Worlds   a 
Motive  to  univerfal  Holinefs, 


II  p  E  T.   III.    It. 

Seeing  then  that  all  tbefe  Thhgs  fhall  le   di[- 
folvcd^  what  mamter  of  Perfons  ought  ye  to  le^  in 

all  holy  Converfation  and  Godlinefs  ? 

THE  dodrine  of  a  future  Judgment,  tho' 
agreable  to  the  principles  of  reafon,  and^ 
confirmed  by  the  teftimony  oVjefus^  the 
faithful  and  true  witnefs  j  has  neverthelefs 
been  oppofed  and  bhfphem'd,  in  all  ages,  by  men 
abandoned  to  their  lufts,  and  given  over  to  a  reprobate 
and  impenitent  mind.  Such  there  arofe  in  the  chrif- 
tian  Church,  even  in  the  firft  and  pureft  days  of  the 
Gofpel.  In  cppofition  to  whom,  St.  Peter  aflerts 
the  dodh-ine  of  Chrifl's  coming  to  judge  the  world, 
and  removes  the  objedtions  that  were  made  againft  it. 
The  Ground  of  their  infidelity  was  the  uninterrupted 
profperity,  that  the  world  enjoyed,  notwithftanding 
jts  approaching  ruin  had  been  fo  frequently  foretold. 
Where  (fay  they)  is  the  promife  of  his  coming  ^  iox  finca 
the  Jpathers  fell  aflecp^  all  things  continue  as  they  'ivere 
from  the  hegin'tiing  of  the  creation.  In  anfv/er  to  this, 
the  Apoftje  ilaarply  reproves  them  for  their  wilful 


The  DiJfoIuttoH  of  the  WorU^  &c.         79 

Ignorance ;  and  fhows  them  that  the  world  had  already 
undergone  fuch  remarkable  Changes,  as  might  juftly 
ferve  to  ftrengthen  our  belief  in  thofe  that  were  yet  to 
Gome.  He  tells  them,  that  the  delay  of  Chrift's  com- 
ing did  not  in  the  lead  impeach  the  truth  and  faith- 
fulnefs  of  God,  but  was  an  aftonifhing  evidence  of 
his  Goodnefs  and  forbearance.  Gcd  is  7iot  flack  con^ 
cerning  his  pro?nife,  as  fome  men  count  flachiefs  •,  hut  is 
long'fuffering  to  us-ward^  not  willing  that  any  Jhould 
-perijh^  hut  that  all  fnould  come  to  repentance.  Then  he 
goes  on  to  confirm  our  faith  in  this  important  Article 
of  Religion,  and  in  the  words  of  our  text,  direfls  us 
a  fuitable  Improvement  of  this  folemn  and  afFedting 
Subjed. 

Seeing  then^  that  all  thefe  things  Jh all  he  diffohed^ 
what  manner  of  perfons  ought  ye  to  he^  in  all  holy  Con- 
verfation  and  Godlinefs  ? 

The  words  contain  thefe  two  Propofitions,  which 
(by  divine  afTiftancej  fhall  be  diftindly  difcourfed 
upon. 

Firft,  At  the  fecond  coming  of  Chrift,  this  '-jjorld 
fhall  be  dijjolved. 

Secondly,  The  Confideratation  of  this  awful  truth  is 
a  powerful  fnotive  to  univerfal  Purity  and  Godlinefs. 

Prop.  1.  At  the  fecond  coming  of  Chriji  this  world 
Jhall  he  dijfolved, 

Tho'  the  world  at  prefent  makes  a  beautiful  and 
goodly  appearance  ;  and  the  face  of  nature  feems  to 
wear  no  marks  of  a  declining  age,  nor  to  difcover 
any  melancholy  fymptoms  of  its  approaching  ruin  : 
yet  all  things  certainly  are  haftning  to  their  final 
period  •,  when  this  earth  fhall  be  deilroyed  by  fire, 
and  all  its  magnificent  Glories  expire  in  flame  and 
fmoke, 

ThU 


8a  The  DiplutioH  tf  the  WorU^ 

This  has  been  the  univerfal  expeftation  of  the 
wifeft  among  the  heathen  world,  of  all  fe6ts  and  opi- 
nions, in  all  ages  and  nations.  Their  ancient  Philofo- 
phers  taught  this  doctrine  in  their  publick  Schools; 
their  celebrated  Poets  made  it  the  frequent  theme  of 
their  harinonious  fongs  \  and  fcarce  any  notion  has 
more  generally  prevailed  in  the  world.  But  we  are 
not  left  to  collecTt  this  important  truth  from  the  dark 
hints  of  Antiquity,  and  the  doubtful  conje6lures  of  the 
ancient  fages :  We  have  a  fure  word  of  prophecy  to 
build  our  faith  upon,  even  the  infallible  predidlions  of 
the  v/ord  of  God  ;  where  the  general  conflagration  of 
the  world  is  frequently  foretold,  and  defcribed  in  the 
moft:  fublime  and  affe6ling  language. 

Under  the  Old  T'^^?;z^;2/-difpenfation  we  have  clear 

intimations  of  this  folcmn  truth. Mofes,  the  firft 

of  the  infpir^d  writers,  pathetically  defcribes  it  in  his 
lacred  fong  :  Deut.  32.  22.  ^  Firt  is  kindled  in  jnine 
anger ^  and  JJoall  hum  to  the  loweft  hell,  and  /hall  con- 
fume  the  earth  with  her  increafe  \  and  fst  on  fire  the 

foundatio7is    of  the  mountains. David,    the    fweet 

pfaimift  of  Ifrael,  prophefies  of  this  great  event. 
Pfl.  ^o,  3.  Our  God  Jhall  come,  and  Jhall  not  keep 
(UeiKe :  a  fire  fioall  devour  before  him,  and  it  jhall  he 
very  temp  eft  nous  round  about  him.  So  Pfil.  102.  25,  26. 
Of  old  thou  haft;  laid  the  foundation  of  the  earth  :  and 
the  heavens  are  the  work  of  thy  hands.  'They  fhall 
perifh,  hut  thou  fioalt  endure :  yea,  all  of  them  fhall  wax 
old  like  a  Garment,  as  a  Vefture  fhalt  thou  change  thenty 
and  they  fijall  he  changed,  hut  thou  art  the  fame,  and 
thy  years  fnall  have  no  end. 

The  prophet  Ifaiah  declares  the  larne  dodrine. 
Chap.  51.  6.  JJft  up  your  Eyes  to  the  heavens y 
and  look  upon  the  earth  heneath,  for  the  heavens  Jhall 
vamjh  away  like  finoke,  and  the  earth  fhall  wax  old  like 
a  Garment,  and  they  that  dwell  therein  fhall  die  in  like 
manner  •,  hut  my  falvation  fiall  hs  for  ever,  and  my 

righteoufnefs  fioall  not.  he  ahdifijed And  Daniel  had 

% 


a  Motive  to  unzverfal  Holintfs.  8  £ 

a  diftindt  view  of  this  amazing  fcene  in  his  prophetic 
Vifions. —  And  I  beheld  (lays  hej  //'//  the  thrones  zvere 
caft  dvwn,  and  the  Ancient  of  days  did  fit^  whofe  Gar- 
ment was  white  as  Snow^  and  the  hair  of  his  head  like 
pire  wool :  His  throne  was  like  the  fiery  fla?ne^  and  his 
wheels  as  burning  fire.  A  fiery  Jlrea?n  ijfued  and  came 
forth  fro7n  before  him :  l^houfand  'Thoiifands  minift-red 
unto  hiniy  end  ten  thoufand  ti?nes  ten  thoufand  flood  before 
him.  Dan.  7.  9,  10. —  And  Malachi^  the  lad  of  the 
old  teflament  prophets,  in  the  Conclufion  of  his  pro- 
phecy denounces  this  awful  threatn in g  fChap.  4.  i.) 
Behold^  the  day  cometh^  that  fhall  burn  as  an  oven  j  and 
all  the  proud ^  and  all  that  do  wickedly.,  fhall  be  as  flub- 
lle\  and  the  day  that  co?neth.,  fhall  burn  them.,  faith  the 
Lord  of  hojlsy  that  it  fhall  Jieither  leave  them  root  nor 
branch. 

But  this  great  truth  is  more  clearly  revealed  in  the 
"New  l^eflament.  The  Apoftle  Paul  exprefly  afTures 
us,  {iThef  I.  7,  8.)  that  the  Lord  J efus  Chrifi  fhall 
be  revealed  from  heaven  in  flaming  fire^  taking  ven- 
geance on  them  that  know  not  God,  and  obey  not  the  Gofpel 
of  Chrifi.  The  Apoftle  Peter  teJls  us,  in  our  Con- 
text, that  the  Heavens  and  Earth  zvhich  are  now\  are 
kept  in  Store,  referved  unto  fire.,  againft  the  day  of  judg- 
ment .^  and  perdition  of  ungodly  7nen  :  And  that  the  day 
of  the  Lord  will  come  as  a  thief  in  the  night ;  in  which 
the  heavens  fhall  pafs  away  with  a  great  Jioife ;  and 
the  elements  fhall  melt  with  fervent  heat  \  the  earth 
alfoy  and  the  works  that  are  therein.,  fjall  be  burnt  up. 
Thus  we  find,  that  Mofes  and  the  Prophets,  Cbijl 
and  his  Apoftles,  foretell  the  future  deltrudion  of  the 
world  :  not  by  dark  and  figurative  reprefen-tations, 
but  by  plain  and  pofitive  teflimonies. 

Nor  is  there  any  thing  in  the  prefent  fate  and 
conflitution  of  the  eaith,  that  militates  againit  this  doc- 
trine, and  renders  the  belief  of  it  abfurd  and  irrati- 
onal. On  the  contrary,  the  corruptible  materials  of 
which  this  admirable  frame  is  composed,   the  jarring 


elements 


8i  The  Dtjfolutlon  of  the  World, 

elements  contain'd  in  its  capacious  bofom,  expofe  k 
to  continual  changes  and  convulfions.  It  has  already 
pad  through  mighty  alterations,  which  have  defac'd 
its  Gloryj  and  deftroy'd  multitudes  of  its  inhabitants. 

Soon  after  this  beautiful  fabrick  was  raifed  out  of 
darknefs  and  confufion,  and  the  almighty  Creator  had 
pronounced  of  every  thing  which  he  had  made,  ^at 
it  was  very  good  \  the  whole  earth  was  brought  under 
a  Curfe  for  the  iniquity  of  man,  and  from  a  fruitful 
.Paradife  was  turned  into  a  defolate  wildernefs,  from 
the  feat  of  innocence  and  joy  it  became  the  abode 
of  guilt  and  forrow. 

When  all  fleflj  had  corrupted  their  ways,  and  the 
wickednefs  of  man  was  great  upon  the  Earthy  God 
ihower'd  down  a  miraculous  deluge  of  waters,  and  fwept 
away  the  whole  world  of  fmners  together. 

When  the  Inhabitants  of  Sodom  and  Gomorrah  had 
filled  up  the  meafure  of  their  fins,  and  attained  to  the 
mofl  daring  height  of  Impiety  and  Lewdnefs,  they 
v/ere  fuddenly  deftroy'd  by  fire  and  hrimflone,  and 
their  fiourilhing  cities  were  turn'd  into  heaps  of  defola- 
tion  and  ruin. 

And  in  all  ages  of  the  world  there  have  been  terri- 
ble examples  of  the  divine  feverity.  Whole  Coun- 
tries and  Kingdoms  have  been  laid  wafte,  by  fire 
and  fv/ord, —  by  famine  and  peftilence, —  by  thunder 
and  lightning, —  by  ftorms  and  earthquakes.  Thefc 
things  are  awful  warnings  to  a  guilty  world,  acd 
(landing  evidences  of  God's  juft  difpleafure  againil 
the  workers  of  Iniquity.  The  Judgments  that  he 
has  executed  from  time  to  time,  loudly  declare  the 
Greatnefs  of  his  power,  and  the  terrors  of  his  wrath  ; 
and  may  abundandy  convince  us,  that  the  threatnings 
of  his  word  are  not  defign'd  barely  to  amufe  and 
terrify  us,  but  will  be  exva6tly  fulfilled  in  their  ap- 
pointed time. 

And  why  Jhoiild  it  le  thought  incredible,  that  God 
who  iT.ade  liie  world  at  firft^  as  a  monument  of  his 

Powet 


-a  Motive  to  uyiiverfal  Ho^tnefs.  83 

Power  and  Goodnefs,  fhould  -  dellroy  it  at  laft,  to 
adorn  the  triumphs  of  his  Juftice  and  Holinefs? 
What  can  be  more  reafonable  than  to  luppofe,  that 
this  Earth,  which  was  defign'd  for  the  habitation  of 
man,  will  be  difTolv'd  when  its  Inhabitants  are  removed 
off  the  ftage,  and  fettled  in  their  everlafting  abodes? 

By  what  means  this  aflonifhing  change  will  be 
brought  about,  is  utterly  uncertain :  but  this  we  know, 
that  there  are  innumerable  fires  imprifoned  in  the 
bowels  of  the  earth,  which  frequently  break  forth 
with  aflonifhing  fury,  and  have  produc'd  furprizing 
alterations  in  the  furface  of  this  Globe  \  the  Air  alfo 
that  furrounds  us,  is  a  continual  magazine  of  thunder 
and  lightning,  and  fiery  Meteors ;  all  which  afford 
abundant  provifion  for  an  univerfal  Conflagration. 

We  may  therefore  fuppofe,  that  at  the  time  ap- 
pointed in  the  decrees  of  heaven,  when  the  end  for 
which  this  magnificent  theatre  was  ereded,  fhall  be 
accompiilVd,  and  the  fins  of  men  cry  aloud  for  divine 
juflice,  the  great  Lord  of  the  Univerfc  will  ilTue  out 
his  fovereign  Orders :  at  which  the  mighty  flores  of 
fire  that  have  hitherto  been  pent  up  in  the  heart  of 
the  earth,  fliall  be  broke  open,  fiiime  out,  and  rage 
with  irrefiflible  force  and  fury :  all  the  combuflible 
materials  that  are  contain'd  in  thefe  inferior  heavens, 
fhall  be  fet  on  fire,  and  defcend  in  hidious  cataracts 
upon  the  difTolving  world.  The  beautiful  order,  that 
has  hitherto  fubfifled  in  the  works  of  nature,  will  then 
ceafe,  and  the  whole  fublunary  world  be  involv'd  in 
tumult  and  diforder :  The  foundations  of  the  earth 
v;ill  be  put  out  of  courfe,  and  all  the  admired  ftruc- 
tures  of  nature  and  art  fhall  peri fli  together. 

But  it  is  not  my  defign  to  attempt  a  defcription  of 
this  great  and  terrible  day  of  the  Lord  •,  it  is  beyond 
the  capacity  of  man,  to  conceive,  and  the  power  of 
language  to  exprefs  the  horrors  of  this  amazing  Scene. 
I  pafs  therefore  to  the  other  thing  propofed,  viz. 

M  Prop. 


84  7*/;^  Diplution  of  the  WorU^ 

Prop.  II.  ^hat  the  conftderation  of  this  important 
truth  is  a  powerful  motive  to  univerfal  Purity  and  God" 
linefs.  Which  will  appear,  if  we  confider  the  follow- 
ing particulars : 

It  gives  us  an  awful  reprefentation  of  the  Greatnefs 
and  Power  of  God. 

It  fhews  the  malignant  and  deflruufive  nature  of 
Sin. 

It  depreciates  the  enjoyments  of  this  prefent  World. 

It  evidences  the  neceffity  of  fecuring  a  more  valuable 
and  abiding  inheritance. 

It  heightens  the  terror  and  folemnity  of  a  future 
judgment.         And 

It  affords  a  bright  difcovery  of  the  love  of  Chrifl  m 
faving  his  people  from  the  ruins  of  a  diffolving  world. 
Of  thefe  in  their  order. 

I.  //  gives  us  an  awful  reprefentation  of  the  Greatnefi 
find  Power  of  God. 

Thefe  attributes  were  wonderfully  difcover'd,  when 
he  firft  laid  the  foundations  of  the  earth,  ftretched  the 
heavens  over  us  as  a  Curtain,  and  fettled  the  courfe  of 
nature  with  fuch  furprizing  regularity  and  exadlnefs  ; 
that  its  various  parts  mutually  fupport  and  aflift  each 
other,  and  all  confpire  to  minifter  to  the  convenience 
and  happinefs  of  its  numerous  Inhabitants.  But  they  will 
ftill  be  more  aftonilhingly  difplay'd,  when  the  heavens 
Jhall  pafs  away  with  a  great  noife^  the  elements  Jhall 
melt  with  fervent  heat^  and  all  the  Glory  of  this 
goodly  fyftem  Ihall  be  made  a  prey  to  devouring 
flames,  for  to  punifh  the  contempt  of  his  authority, 
and  manifeft  the  fiercenefs  of  his  anger  againft  a  finful 
world. 

How  irreliftible  is  the  Power  of  that  God,  who 
made  all  things  by  the  authority  of  a  Command,  and 
can  deftroy  them  in  a  moment  by  a  frown  of  his 
countenance  ?—  How  terrible  is  his  Majefly^  at  whofe 
rebuke  the  Earth  Jhakes  and  trembles,  and  the  founda- 
tions of  the  hills  are  removed  out  of  their  place  ? 


a  Motive  to  univerfal  Holinefs,  85- 

Who  can  ftand  before  Him,  when  once  he  is  angry  ? 
Who  can  fupport  the  terrors  of  his  almighty  difplea- 
fure  ?  Is  not  the  thought  of  thefe  things  fufficient  to 
furprize  the  boldeft  finners,  to  appale  their  Counte- 
nances, and  make  their  knees  ftrike  one  againft  ano- 
ther, when  they  are  giving  a  loofe  to  their  mirth  and 
jollity,  and  wafting  their  days  in  intemperance  and 
debauchery?  What  infinite  madnefs,  and  worfe  than 
brutal  ftupidity,  are  they  guilty  of,  who  afiront  and 
provoke  the  great  Lord  and  Governor  of  the  v/orld, 
upon  whom  they  intirely  depend,  who  can  deftroy 
them  with  the  breath  of  his  mouth,  and  make  them 
the  flaming  monuments  of  his  righteous  indignation  ? 
What  more  neceflary  for  us,  than  to  bow  before 
the  Lord  our  maker,  and  humble  our  felves  for  our 
innumerable  provocations  againft  him  ?  How  feafona- 
ble  is  that  advice  (^22  Job.  21.)  Acquaint  now  thy  felf 
with  hifUy  and  he  at  peace  :    thereby  good  Jhall  come 

unto  thee. How  much  does  it  concern  us,  to  ferve 

the  Lord  with  reverence  and  godly  fear  •,  feemg  our 
God  is  a  confuming  fire  ?  who  tho'  he  now  fecms  to 
take  no  notice  of  the  fins  of  men,  and  bears  with  in- 
numerable indignities,  yet  he  has  appointed  a  day  in 
which  he  will  judge  the  world  in  right  eoufnefs^  and  fear- 
fully deftroy  his  implacable  Enemies. 

IL  ne  dijfolution  of  the  world  affords  a  convincing 
evidence  of  the  malignant  and  defiruEiive  nature  of  Sin. 

That  Sin  is  an  infinite  evil,  odious  to  the  bieffed 
God,  and  attended  with  the  moft  dangerous  confe- 
quences,  is  abundantly  evident  from  the  declarations 
of  God's  word,  and  is  ftill  further  verified  by  the  in- 
flidions  of  his  wrath  upon  obftinate  and  impenitent 

tranfgrelTors. How  clearly  did  the  purity  of  his 

nature,  and  the  feverity  of  his  Juftice,  fhine  forth  m 
the  terrible  punifhment  inflidled  upon  the  fallen 
Angels  ?  who  for  one  fin  were  dethron'd  from  their 
exalted  feats  in  Heaven,  were  caft  down  to  the 
gloomy  manfions  of  hell,  and  are  referv'd  in  chains  of 
■  Jvl  2  dark^ 


26  The  Dtjfdunon  of  the  WorU, 

darhiefs  to  the  judg??ient  of  the  great  day. How 

awful  does  the  divine  difpleafure  appear  in  the  curfe 
pronourx'd  upon  our  firfi  Parents.,  for  their  primitive 
apoil.icy  ;  by  which  the  Glory  of  the  creation  was 
ftain'd,  the  harmony  of  nature  dillurb'd,  and  Man 
(the  Lord  of  ail)  was  brought  under  a  peremptory 
fentence  of  death  and  mifery  ? And  who  can  re- 
count the  vario'js  and  diftrefling  Affii5fions^  that  are 
fuice  become  the  fad  inheritance  of  the  finful  children 
of  m^en  ?  -  This  may  afTure  us,  that  God  is  angry  'ujitb 
the  Wicked.,  and  that  he  will  not  fufrer  the  wilful  con- 
tempt of  his  authority  to  pafs  unpunilli'd. 

But  hov/  iliudriouily  will  tnis  truth  be  revealed  by 

the  fire  of  the  laft  day  ♦,  when  this  lower  world  fhall 

be  confum'd  by  the  heat  of  the  divine  difpleafure,  and 

all  its  adored  treafures  fhall  be  ficrificed  to  the  jealous 

refentments  of  an  offended  God  ?  For  it  is  fm,  that 

enkindles  the  fire  of  God's  wrath,  and  provokes  him 

to  deftroy  the  works  of  his  hands.     How  jufbly  then 

are  they  branded  with  the  charader  of  Focls^  wJ:>o  make 

a  viock  of  fin ^  v/ho  hag    this  deteilable    evil  in  their 

bofoms  j  which  has  already  been  attended  with  fuch 

dedructive  cfieds,  and  which  will  at  laft  i^l  on  fire 

this  frame  of  nature,  and  fink  a  guilty  world  into  the 

loweft  hell,  ^duhcre  the  fnoke  of  their  torments  'will  afc  end 

for  ever   and  ever?    What  Confideration  can    more 

pov/erfuUy  engage  us  to  deny  all  ungodlinefs  and  worldly 

lujls  f  Hov^'  much  does  it  concern  us,  to  have  no  feU 

lovcflnp  v^ith  thefe,  unfruitful  works  of  darhiefs^  but  to 

flee  from  the  tents  of  the  ivicked,  lefl  we  be  defiled 

■v^-irh  their  fins,  :\nd  partake  of  their  plagues  ? 

III.  The  Confideration  of  the  approaching  Ruin 
of  this  World,  greatly  depreciates  all  earthly  Enjoy- 
7nentSy  and  fbczvs  the  inadnefs  of  placing  our  affections 
upon  fuch  uncertain  treafures. 

The  world  is  a  flrong  and  prevailing  temptation, 
which  wonderfully  captivates  the  hearts  ot  men,  and 
is  the  unhappy   inflrumcnt  of  innumerable  pollutions. 

Many 


a  Motive  to  umverfal  Holinefs.  87 

Many  are  fo  enchanted  with  wealth   and  riches,   fo 
fond  cf  the  pomp  and  glitter  of  worldly  greatnefs,  fo 
charm'd  with  the  gay  amufements  and  pleafures  of 
Life,  that  they  think  of  nothing  but  fettwg  up  their 
tabernacles  here  ^  and  entirely  neglect  their  great  and 
immortal  intereft  :  but  furely,  if  we  confider  the  tran- 
fitory  nature  of  thefe  enjoyments,  it  is  enough  to  damp 
the  force  of  worldly  temptarions,  and  put  us  out  of 
conceit  with  fuch  perifhing  vanities.     Why  fhould  we 
put  our  trull,  and  place  our  happinefs,  in  things  that 
are  of  fo  fhort  and  momentany  a  duration  •,  which  in 
a  few  years  at  furtheft,  will   vaniih  out  of  our  fight, 
and  take  their  leave  of  us  for  ever  ?    Our  daily  expe- 
rience fhows  us,  that  all  thefe  beloved  advantages  are 
continually  upon   the  wing,  and  frequendy  fly  from 
our  embraces ;  but  befides  the  common  cafualtics  and 
adverfities  of  life,  to  which  all  things  here  below  are 
expofed,  the  world  it  felf^  with  all  its  grandeur  and 
magnificence,    with  all   its   riches    and   pleafures,    is 
haftning  10  iis  final  period.     The  time  is  fwiftly  ap- 
proaching, when  the  earthy  and  the   works   that  are 
therein  Jh all  he  ^  burnt  up.     Then  all   thofe   tempting 
objects,  which  now  you  fo  palTionately  dote  upon,  and 
for  which  you  facrifice  all  Hope  of  the  favour  of  God, 
and  an  heaven  of  immortal  joys,  fhall  be   turn'd  into 
darknefs  and  flame.     All  the  great  empires,  which 
have  been  rais'd  by  ambition  or   cruelty,  and  made 
fuch  a  mighty  noife  in  the  earth,  Ihall  fmk  at   once 
into  ruin  and  confufion.     All  thofe  flourifning  cities, 
which  have  been  the  pride  and  glory  of  their  inhabi- 
tants, fhall  be  laid  wafte  and  defolate.     All  the  proud 
monuments  of  human  vanity,  which  have  been  rear'd 
with  fuch  infinite  toil  and  expence,  fhall  be  levelled 
with  the  dull,  and  the  place  thereof  f nail  know  the?Ji 
m   more.     What  an   undeniable  evidence   does    this 
afford  us  of  the  litde  value  of  ail  earthly  pofTeiTions  ? 
How  fhould  it  abate  our  affe6lions  to  fuch  vanifhing 
trifles,  and  give  check  to  our  immoderate  purfuit  of 

the 


88  The  Dijfoluthn  of  the  WorUy 

the  world?  This  is  the  argument  made  ufe  of  by 
St.  Paul^  and  carries  with  it  the  greateft  force  and 
efficacy  (i  Cor.  7.  29,-310  But  this  I  fay ^  Brethren^ 
the  time  is  fhort ;  //  remaineth^  that  they  that  rejoice^ 
he  as  tho*  they  rejoiced  not ;  and  they  that  huy^  as  tho* 
they  poffeffed  not ;  and  they  that  ufe  this  worlds  as  not 
abufing  it :  for  the  fafhion  of  this  world  paffeth  away, 
I  proceed  to  fay, 

IV.  This  alfo  fhows  us  the  neceffity  of  fecuring  a 
more  valuable  and  abiding  Inheritance. 

Since  the  world  is  fuch  a  tranfient  fcene,  and  its 
moft  agreable  entertainments  are  like  a  morning- 
cloud,  and  as  the  early  dew,  which  will  quickly  pafs 
away  *,  it  is  a  Matter  of  no  confiderable  confequence, 
whether  our  circumftances  be  profperous,  ar  affli6ting ; 
whether  we  are  carried  through  the  llage  of  Life  with 
an  eafy  and  pleafant  gale,  or  drove  to  our  long  home 
by  dorm  and  diftrefs.  Our  only  concern  is,  to  at- 
tend the  duty  of  our  ftation,  and  fulfil  the  tafk  aflign'd 
us  by  heaven;  that  at  lad  we  may  fafely  arrive  at 
the  peaceful  harbour  of  happinefs  and  everlafting  reft. 
We  are  here  in  a  pilgrimage-ftate,  and  are  bound  for 
tlie  regions  of  immortality  -,  nothing  therefore  de- 
ferves  our  anxiety  and  care,  but  that  which  will  fur- 
vive  our  funeral,  and  pafs  over  with  us  into  a  future 
world.  And,  bleffed  be  God,  an  heavenly  and  eter- 
nal inheritance  is  offered  to  our  choice,  and  earneilly 
recommended  to  our  acceptance :  This  is  the  nobleft 
obied  of  our  ambition,  and  fhould  engage  the  ftrength 
and  vigour  of  all  our  powers. 

Now  by  the  Tenour  of  the  Divine  Promife,  as 
well  as  the  Nature  of  Things,  this  can  be  obtain'd 
only  by  thofe  that  cleanfe  themfelves  from  all  filthi^iefs 
of  fiefh  and  fpirit,  and  perfe^  holinejs  in  the  fear  of 
^God  i  who  efcape  the  pollutions  of  the  worlds  and  are 
rene^uoed  after  the  i?nage  of  the  invifible  God.  Wloat 
viamier  of  perfo?is  then  ought  we  to  be^  in  all  holy  con- 
■verfation  and  Godlinefs  j  that  fo  when  ail  things  here 

below 


a  Motive  to  unlverfal  HoUnefs*  89 

below  fhall  fail  us,  we  may  be  admitted  into  a  city  that 
has  everlafting  foundations,  whofe  maker  and  builder 
is  God  ;  and  obtain  a  crown  of  incorruptible  and  un- 
fading Glory ! 

V.  The  deflrudlion  of  the  world  by  fire  will 
heighten  the  terror  and  folemnity  of  a  future  judgment : 
and  fo  the  Confideration  of  it  is  a  powerful  motive 
to  univerfal  purity  and  holinefs. 

The  wife  author  of  our  beings  hath  implanted  a 
principle  of  fear  in  the  hearts  of  men,  to  keep  them 
from  fecurity  and  prefumption,  to  quicken  them  in 
their  flight  from  impending  dangers.  Now  what  can 
be  more  fuited  to  raife  this  paflion  in  the  foul,  than 
the  confideration  of  that  awful  time,  when  we  muft 
all  appear  before  the  judgment-feat  of  Chrifl,  and 
have  an  irreverfible  fentence  pafs'd  upon  us,  accord- 
ing to  the  nature  and  quality  of  our  adtions  ?  But 
how  aftonifhingly  will  the  terrors  of  that  day  be  in- 
creafed  by  thejinal  deftrudlion  of  this  lower  world  ? 
What  confufion  and  diftrefs  will  feize  the  finner,  when 
the  heavens  from  above  fhall  rain  down  fire  and 
brimftone,  and  the  earth  upon  which  he  dwells,  fhall 
become  one  mighty  Volcano,  and  difcharge  whole 
rivers  of  flaming  fulphur  ? 

Will  it  not  terrify  the  hardieft  mortals,  to  fee  nature 
flruggling  in  the  agonies  of  death,  and  themfelves  en- 
compafs'd  on  all  fides  with  the  flames  of  a  dififolving 
world :  ne  Sun  turned  into  darknefs,  and  the  Moon 
into  bloody  and  whole  cities  and  countries  finking 
down  in  a  moment  into  the  fiery  abyfs  below !  How 
will  they  fupport  thefe  vifions  of  horror  and  amaze- 
ment, or  whither  will  they  fly  for  fifety  and  defence  ? 
If  they  afcend  to  the  top  of  the  loftieft  mountains, 
there  they  will  be  expofed  to  the  hot  thunderbolts  of 
divine  fury  :  If  they  defcend  into  the  gloomy  caverns 
of  the  earth,  there  they  will  be  fv/allowed  up  in  an 
Ocean  of  liquid  fire.  In  fhort,  wherever  they  go, 
the  vengeance  of  an  incenfed  God  will  purfue  them» 

and 


^o  The  DJjfoluthn  of  the  WorlJ^     . 

and  make  them  the  monuments  of  his  almighty  dif" 
pleafure. 

And  now  what  more  powerful  argument  can  be 
ufed  with  finful  mortals  to  av/aken  them  out  of  their 
impenitence  and  fecurity  ?  If  infinite  juftice  cannot 
affright  them  from  their  fins  -,  if  the  profpedt  of  a 
diifolving  world  leave  no  abiding  imprefTions  upon 
them  •,  they  appear  to  be  lofl,  beyond  all  pofTibility 
of  recovery :  and  it  is  to  be  fear'd,  they  belong  to 
the  number  of  thofe  hardned  wretches,  who  are  re- 
folv'd  to  ftorm  hell,  and  take  the  kingdom  of  dark- 
nefs  by  violence. 

VI.  This  alfo  has  a  prevailing  influence  upon  the 
people  of  God,  as  it  gives  them  a  bright  difcovery  of 
the  love  of  Chrifi^  who  will  fave  them  fro?n  the  terrors 
of  this  amaxiyig  ^ay, 

Tho'  this  will  be  a  day  of  tribulation  and  anguifh 
to  impenitent  fmners,  yet  it  will  be  a  time  of  joy 
and  refrefhment  to  the  Saints.  For  the  Lord  knoweth 
how  to  deliver  the  Godly ^  and  referve  the  unjuft  to  the 
day  of  judgfnent  to  he  pimijhed  *.  St.  Paul  affures  us, 
that  the  righteous  fhall  be  feparated  from  the  wicked, 
and  refcued  from  the  calamity,  in  which  all  things 
elfe  ihall  be  involv'd.  For  the  Lord  himfelf  fball  de- 
fccnd  from  heaven  with  a  fhout^  with  the  voice  of  the 
jirchangel  and  the  trump  of  God ;  and  the  dead  in 
Chrift  fhall  rife  firft :  Then  we  which  are  alive ^  and  re- 
main^ fhall  he  caught  up  together  with  them  in  the 
clouds^  to  meet  the  Lord  in  the  air  j  and  fo  floall  we 
ever  he  with  the  Lord-\,  What  an  endearing  expref- 
fion  is  this  of  the  love  of  God  our  Saviour  ?  What 
obligations  are  we  under,  to  beflow  upon  him  our 
beit  and  deareft  affe6tion .?  In  fine,  what  mighty  en- 
couragement does  it  afford  us  now  to  difentangle  our 
affedtions  from  this  enfnaring  world,  to  be  fruitful  in 
every  good  work,  to  have  our  converfation  in  heaven^ 

that 


^  ^r$t.  2..  p,  t  iTl^ef  4.  16,  I7« 


a  Motive  to  miverfal  Holhefs,  pT 

that  fo  we  may  he  accoimted  worthy  to  efcape  all  thofe 
things^  which  Jhall  then  co7ne  to  pafs^  and  may  he  ahle  to 
ftand  with  confidence  hefore  the  Son  of  Man  at  his  ap^ 
Rearing. 

The  Application  of  my  difcourfe  remains: 
which  I  lliall  difpatch  in  a  fer ious  and  earneil  Exhor- 
tation to  feveral  forts  of  perfons. 

I.  Let  thofe  that  are  in  Youth,  he  perfwaded  hy 
thefe  pozverful  motives  that  have  heen  Jet  before  them^  to 
all  holy  Converfation  and  Godlinefs. — ^ —  You  are  ex- 
ceeding apt  to  banifh  ail  ferious  Thoughts  out  of  your 
minds,  and  to  imagine  that  it  will  be  time  enough 
hereafter,  to  attend  to  religious  Concerns,  when  you 
have  taken  a  furfeit  of  the  Gaieties  and  Pleafures  of 
Life.  Youth  is  naturally  unthinking  -,  and  flrongly 
inclin'd  to  fenfual  enjoyments.  Their  conftitutions 
are  ordinarily  firm  and  robuft  ;  not  broken  with  fa- 
tigue, impaired  by  ficknefs,  or  worn  out  with  age. 
Their  pulfe  beats  high,  their  blood  circulates  brifkly 
through  their  veins,  and  all  the  powers  of  nature  are 
in  their  higheft  fprightlinefs  and  vigour  :  Their  appe- 
tites are  eager,  their  pafTions  are  head-ftrong,  and  fo 
apt  to  hurry  them  into  all  manner  of  riot  and  excefs, 
contrary  to  the  facred  rules  of  virtue  and  fobriety. 
They  efteem  Religion  too  dark  and  melancholy  an 
entertainment  for  the  flourifliing  bloom  of  life,  and 
fit  for  none  but  thofe  whofe  temper  is  foured  with 
lofTes  and  difappointments  in  the  world,  and  whofe 
ftrength  is  wafted  with  ficknefs  or  age.  Hence  they 
give  an  unbounded  loofe  to  their  vicious  inclinationsj, 
and  wallow  in  the  grolTefl:  fenfualities. 

But  make  a  pauie,  I  befeech  you,  in  the  midfl  of 
your  mad  career,  and  confider  what  will  be  the  confe- 
quence  of  your  anions  •,  Know  ity  that  for  thefe  things 
God  will  hring  you  into  judg?ne?it^  and  call  you  to  a 
ftri(ft  account  for  your  youthful  follies.     You  may 

N  novf 


px  The  Dijfolutron  of  the  WorUj 

now  drink  wine  in  bowl?,  and  fing  away  your  cares, 
fpend  your  days  in  mirth,  and  your  years  in  vanity 
and  pleafufe  •,  but  thefe  are  dying  comforts,  ihort- 
liv'd  enjoyments,  which  will  foon  end  in  difappoint- 
ment  and  forrow.  The  fprightlinefs  of  Youth,  the 
Itrength  of  your  conftitutions,  is  no  Protedlion  againft 
the  fudden  arrefts  of  Death,  and  the  inevitable  fum- 
mons  of  your  almighty  Judge.  How  many  of  your 
companions  have  been  cut  oft  in  the  flower  of  their 
days,  and  diipatch'd  into  an  eternal  world,  without 
any  warning  ?  And  have  you  any  fecurity,  that  this 
fhall  not  be  your  cafe  ?  On  the  contrary,  have  you 
not  the  greateft  reafon  to  fear,  that  whilft  you  are  re- 
velling in  your  intemperate  pleafures,  and  madly  pur- 
fuing  your  guilty  defigns,  while  you  are  flattering 
your  felves  with  the  profpedt  of  long  life  and  profpe- 
rity,  and  dream  of  nothing  but  peace  and  fafety,  the 
fatal  Period  will  come  upon  you  in  a  moment,  and 
overwhelm  you  with  fwift  and  unavoidable  ruin  ? 
Knowing  then  the  terrors  of  the  Lord,  we  perfwade 
you,  to  break  off  your  Sins  by  unfeigned  Repentance, 

and  get  reconciled  to  God,  and  prepared  to  die. • 

O  fly  to  the  great  Saviour  of  the  world,  who  alone 
can  fecure  you  from  the  flames  of  vindidlive  Juftice : 
Cry  to  him  mofl  importunately  for  the  powerful  in- 
fluences of  his  Spirit,  to  cleanfe  your  polluted  Souls , 
that  you  may  be  found  of  your  Judge  in  peace,  with- 
out fpot  and  blamelefs. But  I  pafs, 

II.  Tb  apply  this  Exhortation  to  thofe  that  are  in 
the  Evening  of  I^fe,  and  have  hitherto  7tegle^ed  to 
prepare  for  the  approaching  dijfolution  of  all  things. 

With  what  confidence  will  you,  under  your  heavy 
Loads  of  Guilt  and  Defilement,  be  able  to  hold  up 
your  heads  at  the  bar  of  Chrift  ?  Can  you  hope  to 
appear  with  Safety  before  his  Judgment- Seat,  who 
have  hitherto  fpent  your  time  in  the  negledt  of  his 
Authgrity,  in  difgbedience  to  his  Gofpel,  and  profane 

cor^' 


d  Motive  to  uMiverfal  HoUn^fs.  9} 

contempt  of  his  ineftimable  Blood  ?  illafs,  your  days 
decline  apace,  your  Sun  is  almoft  let,  and  the  Night 
haftens  upon  you,  wherein  no  man  can  work,  O  then 
feize  the  flying  moments,  and  trifle  no  longer  with  your 
eternal  Concerns  *,  humble  your  felves  in  the  dull  tor 
your  aggravated  Iniquities,  and  turn  from  all  your 
Tranlgreflions.  Fly  for  Refuge  to  Chrijl^  and  give 
glory  to  the  Lord  your  God^  before  your  feet  flumhle 
upon  the  dark  7nountains^  and  before  the  terrors  of 
a  future  judgment  furprize  you.  O  how  will  yon 
efcapCy  if  you  neglect  fo  great  Salvation  I 

III.  Let  what  we  have  heard  put  the  Children  of 
God  upon  diligent  endeavours  to  grow  in  Grace ^  and 
in  the  Knowledge  of  Chrifl^  to  increafe  in  univerfal 
holinefs,  that  they  may  be  better  prcpar'd  for  the 
awful  Events  they  are  expeding,  and  which  will 
furely  come  to  pafs. 

To  quicken  our  Zeal  and  Adivity  in  the  Chrifliian 
Life,  let  us  frequently  be  looking  forward  to  that 
important  day,  when  our  defcending  Lord  fhall 
make  the  clouds  his  chariot^  and  floall  ride  upon  the 
wings  of  the  wind  -,  when  the  Heavens  fhall  bow  be- 
fore him,  and  the  rocks  fhall  melt  at  his  prefence^  and 
a  fire  fhall  go  before  him  to  burn   up    his  enemies  on 

every  fide. Confider  how  vaft  will  be  the  joy  of 

thofe  holy  Souls,  who  fhall  be  faved  from  the  ruins 
of  a  burning  world,  and  be  admitted  into  the  new  hea* 
vens  and  the  new  earthy  wherein  dwells  right eoufnefs. 
And  let  the  profpedl  of  this  happy  ftate  engage  us 
to  unfainting  induftry  in  the  fervice  of  God  our  Savi* 
our,  to  a  conftant  Reparation  from  the  defiling  cor- 
ruptions of  the  world,  and  unto  a  Care  to  have  our 
Converfation  in  Heaven :  then  we  may  be  aflTured,  that 
the  day  of  Chrift's  folemn  appearance  will  be  the  day  of 
our  complete  and  eternal  Redemption.  While  un- 
godly Sinners  ihall  tremble  at  the  Prefence  of  their 
righteous  Judge,  and  at  the  fight  of  a  diffolving 

worlds 


94        The  Diffolution  of  the  Worlds  &c. 

world,  we  that  have  ferv'd  God,  and  waited  for  hz^ 
Son  fro?n  Heaven^  fhall  be  able,  amidft  this  Scene  oi 
darknefs  and  horror,  to  hold  up  our  heads  with  Joy, 

and  not  he  ajhamed  before  Him  at  his  coming.  We 

ihall  fhout  unto  God  with  the  voice  of  Gladnefs,  and 
join  in  that  triumphant  Song  o^  Mofes  and  the  Lamb  : 
Great  and  marvellous  are  thy  works ^  Lord  God  al- 
mighty^  jtijl  and  true  are  thy  waySy  thou  King  of 
Saints  I 

AMEN. 


FINIS. 


ERRATA. 

r|Age  8.  line  32.  read  of  Mofes  — 
p.  14.  1.  13.  r.  Superftition- 

P.  38.  1.  4.  r.  Adminijlred ' 

P.  41.  1.  II.  r.  Should  we- * 

P:   c^-j.  1.  33,4.  r.  Prefervative 

P.  69.  1.  28.  r.  Our  follicitous ■ 

P.  74.  1.  12.  r.  Brighter' 

P.  79.  1.  23.  r.  Conftderation • 


